In a significant move to sanitise the country’s mineral licensing regime, the Minerals Commission has announced a temporary suspension on the acceptance of new applications for mineral rights, effective Friday, 20th March 2026.
The three-month moratorium, which will run until 19th June 2026, applies to all new applications for Small-Scale, Industrial Minerals, and Large-Scale mineral rights submitted via the Commission’s online Mineral Cadastre Portal.
In a public notice signed by the Chief Executive Officer and copied to NewsGhanaonline, the Commission stated that the suspension is necessary to facilitate a comprehensive clean-up exercise of its Mineral Cadastre Register. This exercise is aimed at addressing an existing backlog and processing all pending and unprocessed applications currently lodged in the system.
“This temporary closure is to enable the Commission to address existing backlogs and process all pending and unprocessed mineral rights applications currently in the system,” the notice explained. “Accordingly, no new applications for mineral rights will be accepted via the online portal during this period.”
The Commission emphasized that this strategic intervention is part of its ongoing commitment to bolstering the integrity of Ghana’s mining sector. By clearing the current backlog, the regulatory body seeks to strengthen the pillars of fairness, transparency, and accountability in the management and processing of mineral rights.
The mining sector is a critical pillar of the Ghanaian economy, and the efficient management of licences is crucial for attracting both local and foreign investment. Industry observers have long called for a transparent and efficient cadastre system to prevent disputes and ensure due process in the allocation of mineral rights.
The Commission has therefore advised prospective applicants and all industry stakeholders to take note of the directive and cooperate accordingly during this period.
While acknowledging the inconvenience the temporary measure may cause, the Minerals Commission apologised to the public and appealed for continued support as it works to enhance the efficiency and credibility of the nation’s mineral licensing system.
The clean-up exercise is expected to streamline operations and ensure that when the portal reopens in June, it will offer a more robust and transparent service to all stakeholders in the mining value chain.
By Kingsley Asiedu
