Lands Ministry to revoke 50 large-scale mining licences over regulatory breaches

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced plans to revoke the licences of 50 large-scale mining companies after a review found widespread regulatory breaches, marking a further tightening of oversight in the sector.

The decision follows an ongoing audit of large-scale mining operations by a special committee set up by the Ministry, which identified companies holding mining leases without valid permits from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) or the Water Resources Commission (WRC), among other violations.

Acting on the directive of the sector minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the committee has released the first list of affected firms, the ministry said in a statement.

The planned revocations form part of the government’s broader effort to curb illegal practices and enforce compliance across the mining value chain, as authorities seek to promote safer, more responsible and environmentally sustainable operations.

The large-scale review mirrors an earlier exercise in the small-scale mining segment, aimed at what the ministry described as a comprehensive clean-up of the industry.

Earlier this year, the Ministry revoked 278 small-scale mining licences over similar breaches, it said.

The Ministry added that further audits and enforcement actions would follow as it steps up regulatory oversight of the sector.