The Government of Ghana has introduced the Cooperative Mining Scheme, a new framework designed to formalize artisanal mining while ensuring responsible environmental practices and community empowerment. The initiative, to be implemented by the rCOMSDEP secretariat in collaboration with the Minerals Commission and other regulatory bodies, seeks to transform small-scale mining into a sustainable and structured industry.
Under the scheme, mining groups registered with rCOMSDEP will be taken through training and required to adhere to policy guidelines and codes of practice. The program aims to provide miners with professional training, legal concessions, and access to shared modern processing facilities equipped with efficient gold recovery and water treatment technologies. By doing so, the scheme eliminates the harmful use of mercury and promotes environmentally friendly mining practices.
The acquisition of a Cooperative Mining Licence can be initiated either by government or communities, but the scheme strictly prohibits operations in river bodies, near water sources, or within forest reserves. Implementation will be rolled out in phases, with the first phase covering areas blocked out by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
To obtain a licence, applicants must form cooperative groups with a minimum of ten members and register under rCOMSDEP. Required documents include cadastral site plans, cartographic reports, identification cards, passport photographs, a constitution for the group, and proof of small-scale mining training certificates for all members. A prescribed processing fee is also applicable.
Once an application is submitted, officials from the Minerals Commission and rCOMSDEP will conduct a pre-licence site inspection to ensure boundaries are properly marked with concrete pillars and the site is suitable for mining. Successful applications will then be gazetted, with notices published in newspapers, district assemblies, and relevant traditional authorities. A 21-day window will be provided for objections from affected parties.
If no objections arise, the Minerals Commission will forward the application for ministerial approval. Upon approval, applicants will be issued an offer letter detailing fees for annual mineral rights and ground rent. A licence agreement will then be prepared and registered with the Lands Commission after applicants swear an oath and obtain a certificate of proof from the High Court Registry.
In addition, licence holders must secure environmental and water use permits from the Environmental Protection Authority and the Water Resources Commission before applying for an operating permit. The Chief Inspector of Mines will subsequently inspect the site and issue the operating permit. Each licence will be valid for five years, renewable upon satisfactory performance.
The Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, and rCOMSDEP will continue to monitor and evaluate licensed sites to ensure adherence to responsible mining practices.
Officials say the scheme represents a major shift in Ghana’s small-scale mining sector, moving it away from unregulated artisanal practices and positioning it as a structured engine for sustainable development.
