The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced a major initiative to bring informal small-scale miners into Ghana’s regulated mining sector within six months, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining, protect the environment and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The initiative, known as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), will organise eligible artisanal miners into registered cooperatives, provide technical training and facilitate access to legally approved mining areas.

The programme is expected to strengthen the government’s fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, by providing a structured pathway for informal miners to operate legally and responsibly.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, 2026, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi said the initiative would facilitate the formalisation and licensing of registered mining cooperatives within six months.

He explained that the programme would combine skills development, environmental protection and regulatory compliance to transform small-scale mining into a more organised and sustainable industry.

Miners to Receive Training and Licences

Under the programme, eligible miners will be organised into cooperatives through the Department of Cooperatives before undergoing training in responsible mining practices.

The training will cover mercury-free gold processing, environmentally friendly extraction methods, land reclamation and sustainable mining techniques.

Following registration and training, qualified cooperatives will be guided towards suitable mineralised areas approved by the relevant regulatory institutions.

These include the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Resources Commission and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

Mr Gyamfi said the programme was designed to ensure that informal miners could transition into legitimate operations while complying with environmental and mining regulations.

The initiative has received Cabinet approval and is provided for in an amendment bill to the Minerals and Mining Act currently before Parliament.

GoldBod is working closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to implement the programme as part of its mandate to promote formalisation within the small-scale mining industry.

No Amnesty for Illegal Mining in Protected Areas

Despite the government’s commitment to formalising small-scale mining, Mr Gyamfi made it clear that the programme would not provide unrestricted access to mineral resources.

Participation will be limited to eligible miners operating outside areas covered by existing mineral rights and environmentally sensitive locations.

Mining activities that threaten water bodies, forest reserves and communities will not qualify under the initiative.

The restrictions are intended to prevent the programme from becoming a means of legitimising illegal mining in prohibited areas.

By requiring miners to join registered cooperatives, secure appropriate licences and comply with environmental standards, the government hopes to improve monitoring and accountability across the sector.

The emphasis on mercury-free processing and land reclamation is also expected to help address environmental damage associated with irresponsible mining activities.

Programme to Complement Anti-Galamsey Operations

Mr Gyamfi explained that rCOMSDEP would complement the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which is responsible for coordinating enforcement efforts against illegal mining.

He said the initiative would strengthen the government’s response by combining law enforcement with practical opportunities for eligible miners to enter the formal sector.

The approach seeks to address informality through regulation, skills development and access to approved mining areas, while maintaining restrictions on activities that threaten the environment.

GoldBod Pushes Indigenous Participation in Mining

Beyond addressing illegal mining, the GoldBod CEO said the programme would create opportunities for Ghanaians to participate more meaningfully in the country’s mineral industry.

He noted that Ghana could draw lessons from mining formalisation initiatives implemented in Colombia, Mongolia, Peru and Tanzania.

According to him, a properly regulated artisanal and small-scale mining industry could support local entrepreneurship, improve employment prospects and strengthen indigenous ownership of mineral resources.

“I hold the view that, properly organized artisanal and small-scale mining offers one of the clearest pathways from mineral ownership in law to indigenous ownership in practice,” Mr Gyamfi stated.

He maintained that combining formalisation with modern mining technology would improve safety, environmental management and productivity while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

The programme is also expected to provide employment opportunities, particularly for young people seeking livelihoods in mining communities.

Six-Month Target

GoldBod’s six-month target will focus on moving eligible mining cooperatives through registration, training and the licensing process.

The initiative represents a shift towards combining enforcement against illegal mining with a regulated pathway for informal operators willing to meet the necessary legal and environmental requirements.

Its success will depend on effective implementation, regulatory oversight and strict compliance with the conditions governing mining activities.

If successfully implemented, rCOMSDEP could help expand responsible small-scale mining, strengthen indigenous participation and support efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies, forests and other natural resources.