The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ghana has issued a public statement clarifying the environmental permitting process for entities operating within the gold buying industry, amid growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM).

According to the EPA, all gold buyers, whether operating as individuals, aggregators, or self-financing aggregators, must obtain an environmental permit, as required under Ghana’s Environmental Assessment Regulations (LI 1652).

The Authority stressed that the permitting process has been structured to support compliance, ensure transparency, and protect public health and the environment.

Gold buying, a key link in Ghana’s mining value chain, has raised alarm, particularly in cases involving smelting, due to the associated risks of mercury use.

The EPA warned of the dangers of methylmercury, a highly toxic compound produced when mercury is used in gold processing. Methylmercury can contaminate water bodies, accumulate in aquatic life, and cause severe health effects in humans, including neurological damage and kidney disease.

“Gold buying operations, especially those involving smelting, can pose significant environmental and public health risks if not properly regulated,” the EPA stated.

“We remain committed to a permitting process that is smooth, transparent, and supportive while prioritising public safety and ecological preservation”It added.

Permit Categories and Associated Fees

The EPA outlined four categories of gold buyers, with varying environmental risks and corresponding fees:

1. Tier 1 Gold Buyer
   o Processing Fee: GHS 1,000
   o Permit Fee: GHS 5,000
2. Tier 2 Gold Buyer
   o Processing Fee: GHS 2,000
   o Permit Fee: GHS 10,000
3. Self-Financing Aggregator
   o Processing Fee: US$500
   o Permit Fee: US$1,500
   o Capital Requirement: Minimum US$100,000
4. Aggregator
   o Processing Fee: US$1,000
   o Permit Fee: US$3,000
   o Capital Requirement: Minimum US$5 million
   o Additional Requirement: Must conduct a Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) and submit a Preliminary Environmental Report (PER)

Tiers 1 and 2 are considered lower-risk operations and are billed in Ghana cedis. Aggregators and self-financing aggregators, whose activities pose greater environmental impact—particularly from emissions—are subject to higher fees in US dollars.

The EPA further assured stakeholders of its readiness to assist with the permitting process by providing guidance on completing Form EA1, supporting environmental assessments, and offering technical expertise on adopting mercury-free technologies.

“We urge all gold buyers to prioritise compliance—not merely to meet regulatory requirements, but to protect our ecosystems, communities, and future generations,” the statement concluded.

Gold buyers seeking to initiate the permitting process are encouraged to visit the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov.gh or contact the nearest EPA office for assistance.