The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revoked 278 small-scale mining licenses nationwide, citing violations of mining regulations and expired operational permits.<\/p>\n The decision, announced by the Ministry\u2019s Spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, on Thursday, October 23, forms part of the government\u2019s renewed effort to bring order and accountability to the small-scale mining sector.<\/p>\n However, mining engineer Ing Wisdom Gomashie has cautioned that while the initiative is commendable, the process appears flawed and could expose the state to \u201ccostly legal and political consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement, Gomashie commended the Lands and Natural Resources minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for continuing the fight to sanitize Ghana\u2019s mining sector but warned that \u201cfailure to follow due process could trigger lawsuits and unrest.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘It was a clerical error’ \u2013 JAPP rejects AG’s $2m overpayment allegation<\/p>\n According to the Minerals Commission, the revocations were based on regulatory breaches and expired licenses, however, Gomashie insists some concessions were granted as recently as December 2024, suggesting several holders may have been wrongly targeted.<\/p>\n \u201cA license granted after a certain December 7 is not enough grounds to revoke or terminate same, in line with Regulations 211 and\/or 251 of L.I. 2176. <\/p>\n “Any such revocation will lead to numerous legal suits and possible judgment debts on government. A dangerous precedent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He added that the Minerals Commission failed to give written notice or the mandatory 120-day grace period under Regulation 251(3).<\/p>\n \u201cMy checks reveal that this was not done. Ghana is a country of rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n Gomashie also questioned fairness in enforcement, noting that foreign-owned firms often get time to correct breaches, while local miners are \u201csimply shut down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot seem to be applying the same law differently on these scales of mining and expect the small-scale sector to get formalized overnight,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He urged the Ministry to review the revocation list, publish the basis for each decision and uphold transparency.<\/p>\n \u201cResource governance cannot thrive in secrecy. Let\u2019s work together to make Ghana\u2019s mining industry a great one,\u201d Gomashie concluded.<\/p>\n FKA\/AM<\/p>\n Dr Zanetor departs Jubilee House after notifying government of mother’s passing<\/b><\/p>\n![\"Ing](\"https:\/\/cdn.ghanaweb.com\/imagelib\/pics\/406\/40673822.295.jpg\" "\\"Ing")
Ing Wisdom Gomashie has cautioned the government on the revocation of 278 mining licenses<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n