Industry players have renewed calls for the full formalisation and licensing of small-scale mining operations, describing it as the most effective pathway to ending illegal mining and securing a sustainable future for Ghana’s mineral sector.
Speaking at a three-day training workshop for editors and reporters at Peduase in the Eastern Region, Deputy Director of Corporate Affairs at Golden Star Resources, Mr Gerard Boakye, stressed that mining’s economic importance must be balanced with its social and environmental sensitivity. He argued that only a regulated and well-supervised small-scale mining sector could deliver “green mining” outcomes and protect communities and ecosystems.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr James Bittaba German, Health, Safety and Environment Manager of Golden Star Resources, Mr Boakye said the environmental discipline applied in large-scale mining could be adapted to artisanal and small-scale operations if they were properly licensed and monitored.
The workshop, organised by the Ghana News Agency in partnership with the Association of China-Ghana Mining LBG, brought together journalists from the Western, Upper East and Greater Accra regions under the theme “Green Mining: Best Practices and Responsible Reporting.” It sought to shift public discourse beyond the dominant focus on illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, towards solutions that promote sustainability.
Mr Boakye linked the persistence of illegal mining to weak formalisation and limited access to finance, which he said had pushed many operators into environmentally destructive practices. These, he noted, have resulted in mercury pollution of major rivers, the loss of potable water, and widespread degradation of forests and farmlands.
He pointed to the government’s Community Mining Programme as proof that small-scale mining could be conducted responsibly. According to him, licensed community mining sites operate under environmental guidelines that reduce conflicts, improve monitoring and minimise ecological damage.
To further strengthen sustainability, Mr Boakye called for the adoption of mercury-free technologies, targeted training programmes, the formation of mining cooperatives and the introduction of digital gold traceability systems to ensure transparency and accountability.
“For small-scale mining to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economy without undermining its future, the focus must be on bringing all operators into the formal legal framework, supported by modern, green technologies,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, Chief Operating Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr Ahmed Dasana Nantogmah, said the Chamber’s structures offered a practical roadmap for small-scale miners seeking to formalise and operate responsibly. He highlighted the Chamber’s Corporate Social Investment initiatives, including support for the Green Ghana—now the Tree for Life Project—as part of broader efforts to combat deforestation and restore degraded landscapes.
Mr Nantogmah reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting environmentally responsible mining through policy advocacy, capacity building and the promotion of best practices, underscoring the industry’s role in protecting Ghana’s natural resources while sustaining economic growth.
