Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced a decisive shift in the country’s approach to small-scale mining, starting with the nationwide adoption of mercury-free gold processing technologies.
Speaking at the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (RCMSDP) in Obuasi on Wednesday, August 6, the Minister said the new model will place environmental protection and community empowerment at its core.
“We will establish community-owned mobile cooperatives with legal concessions and centralized processing. These facilities will use mercury-free technologies to ensure higher gold recovery rates while protecting our environment,” he said.
The bold initiative is Ghana’s clearest break yet from the destructive and unregulated mining practices that have poisoned rivers and left communities devastated.
Under the new cooperative model, all miners will undergo training, licensing, and certification before being permitted to operate. Government will deploy mobile permitting vans — equipped with officials from the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — to register miners directly in their communities.
The mercury-free facilities will allow artisanal miners to extract gold more safely and efficiently, with no chemical pollution to water bodies, soil, or public health.“There will be no more poverty-driven destruction — only responsible, profitable, and sustainable mining,” the Minister stated.
Turning Gold Into Community Good
Mining revenues from the cooperatives will no longer disappear into private hands. Instead, a portion will be reinvested into community development, supporting schools, clinics, water systems, and roads. Additionally, every acre of land disturbed by mining activities will be subject to mandatory reclamation.
The government’s long-term vision is to align small-scale mining with skills training, environmental restoration, and entrepreneurship. The program draws from lessons learned under the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) and previous community mining initiatives.
Industry Backing and National Rollout
The Minister also called on large-scale mining companies to support the cooperatives with expertise, safety protocols, and resources. He noted that AngloGold Ashanti is already collaborating on the effort and urged other players to follow suit.
Each cooperative will receive technical support, including modern mercury-free machinery, with training provided in partnership with the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).“This is not just policy — it is a practical, community-led revolution to ensure sustainable livelihoods and a cleaner Ghana,” Buah said.
Listen to Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah in the attached audio clip below:
