The Acting Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Andrews Tandoh has maintained that the planned review of Ghana’s mining and minerals laws are in line with current global practice and development.

“What Ghana is doing now is not out of place, as most ‘gold rich’ countries are all reviewing their laws and regulations,” the Acting Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission noted

Isaac Andrews Tandoh was speaking on PM EXPRESS BUSINESS EDITION with host George Wiafe, on 4^th September, 2025.

His comments follow recent concerns expressed by the Ghana Chamber of Mines that the proposed mining review could hurt the industry and affect efforts to attract fresh capital into the sector.

CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr Ken Ashigbe at a press conference, expressed several concerns about the revised mining laws.  He noted that the potential cut in the mining lease from 30 years to 15 years “will deter investment and shorten mine life.

Dr. Ashigbe at a press conference, also pushed for a reduced growth and sustainability levy for large scale miners to encourage investment.

Background

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah at a recent Government Accountability series announced that Government is currently working to review the country’s mining laws.  

He added that this will affect the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the 2014 Minerals and Mining Policy,

Armah-Kofi Buah described the mining sector as “the lifeline for millions of Ghanaians,” noting that the country’s rich deposits of gold, diamonds, bauxite, iron, salt, and other minerals must be managed to benefit all citizens, especially communities that directly experience the impact of mining activities.

Government, through the Minerals Commission, is introducing several sweeping changes aimed at correcting long-standing imbalances and promoting responsible mining practices. Some of the key reforms include:

• Time-bound Prospecting Licenses: Reducing the duration for which prospecting licenses are held, moving away from indefinite tenure to a clearly defined time-frame.
  
• Limiting Mining Lease Periods: The maximum duration for mining leases will be cut from 30 years to a shorter, agreed-upon period.
  
• Abolishing Development Agreements: In their place, Community Development Agreements (CDAs) will become mandatory, compelling mining companies to allocate a fixed percentage of their gross revenue to fund development projects in host communities.
  
• Introduction of Medium-Scale Licenses: A new three-tier mineral rights regime will include a specific category for medium-scale operations to ensure more tailored and inclusive licensing.

Concerns of Miners

Some of the major mining firms in Ghana have also told JOYBUSINESS that if government presses ahead with the plan, it will affect their ability to raise fresh funding for ongoing projects.

But speaking on PM EXPRESS BUSINESS, the Acting Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission noted that some of these fears are not well grounded.

He also rejected arguments that government has not engaged mining firms as part of government’s quest to review the mining laws.

“We have engaged them, but have not finalized things, but government is committed to ensure that all their issues are address,” he added.

Isaac Andrews Tandoh also announced that the stakeholder engagement is about 99 percent complete, “however there are several things that we need to do, before the document is finally sent to parliament.”

He also defended government’s decision to review the development agreement for mining firms in the country.

“Current development has shown that we don’t need a stability or development now, however this will affect fresh agreement and not the ones that already have a deal with government,” he stated.