A report from the office of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has suggested a significant growth in Ghana’s mining and extractive industries in 2024, continuing their upward trend.

According to the NDPC, the government granted 343 new mineral rights to different companies to support mining activities. Before the government granted the new mineral rights in 2024, the total number of mineral rights stood at 1,251. The new additions brought the cumulative total to 1,594 by the end of that year.

Mineral rights in Ghana refer to the legal authority granted by the state to individuals or companies to explore, develop, and extract mineral resources from the land. These rights are issued and regulated by the Minerals Commission under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

The increase in mining licenses, according to NDPC, resulted in a significant increase in production of minerals such as gold, among other minerals, positioning Ghana atop among other neighbours in the region as Africa’s leading gold producer in 2024. Gold output rose sharply to 5,059,239 ounces, compared to 3,989,792 ounces in 2023, marking about 27 percent.

Diamond, bauxite, and manganese also went up by 54.6 percent. Altogether, Ghana’s mineral production was valued at USD 11.9 billion in 2024.

“ A total of 343 mineral rights were granted to companies in 2024. Illegal mining (Galamsey) remains a challenging environmental issue in 2024. Ghana was Africa’s leading gold producer in 2024 (2024: 5,059,239 ounces; 2023: 3,989,792 ounces). The total value of mineral production (comprising gold, diamond, bauxite, and manganese) experienced exceptional growth, increasing by 54.6 percent to USD 11.9 billion in 2024. A total of 1,135,242 jobs were created by the extractive industry in 2024”, parts of the report read.

Given Ghana’s current unemployment rate—estimated at about 3.1% as of mid-2025, according to projections by Fitch Solutions and Trading Economics—the extractive sector has made a significant contribution through the jobs it created in 2024.

While the industry’s growth has contributed significantly to the country’s economy, NDPC highlighted the damage currently being caused by the hike in illegal small-scale mining activities, popularly known as “galamsey”

It said this illegal activity threatens sustainable development, even as more legal mining investments are made.

Earlier this year, the government revoked all small-scale mining licences granted after December 7, 2024, due to procedural lapses in their issuance.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced the decision during a joint press briefing on March 19, 2025, emphasizing the need for regulatory compliance in the sector.

“Now, we are going full steam ahead to revoke all licences based on the findings. Even all licences, it’s mostly licences that were issued from December 7, that is hereby revoked, whether you have EPA licences or not, because the finding is very clear. Those licences from December 7 were rushed. Review processes were not followed; the right things were not done,” Mr. Buah stated.

The move follows recommendations from key regulatory institutions, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forestry Commission, and the Water Resources Commission. Authorities say the decision aligns with the government’s broader crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which has contributed to environmental degradation.

Under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which was passed in November 2022 during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, the government had the authority to issue mining licences in forest reserves. During his administration, over 2,100 mining-related permits were granted, including a sharp increase of 318 licences in the final week of his presidency. The law faced heavy criticism for allegedly facilitating environmental destruction tied to unregulated mining activities.

With the revocation now in effect, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is expected to implement stricter measures to ensure that future mining permits adhere to due process and environmental guidelines.

The move, which authorities claimed formed part of the government's efforts to crack down on illegal mining, which causes damage to our water bodies and vegetation.

Galamsey is one major challenge and a cancer eating into the country’s ecosystem. The fight against it is a long-standing one with little to no positive and generally significant and impressive effect; however, past and present administrations remain relentless in the fight against the environmental demon.

Ghana in August lost right gallant men who were en route to an event on anti-galamsey in a gory and heart-wrenching plane crash on August 6, in Adansi.

They were burned beyond recognition while on their way to an event to dissuade Ghanaians from engaging in illegal mining activities. Their remains had to be collected in cocoa sacks for forensic examination.

Consequently, their death heightened calls from officials, concerned citizens and other stakeholders on President Mahama to be fierce and stern in his fight against the menace.

Stakeholders, including chiefs, religious leaders, as well as Civil Society organisations (CSOs), have heightened calls for the declaration of a state of emergency by the government.

However, in response, President John Dramani Mahama stated that he can only declare a state of emergency when his government's advisors give him the approval.

During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)on Friday, October 3, President Mahama said he cannot act ahead of his advisors, as that would go against established governance procedures.

President Mahama pledged to honor scores of Ghanaians’ calls by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so.

According to him, government advisors believe the country can overcome galamsey by adopting best practices in small-scale mining, including technologies that help neutralize or remove harmful chemicals from water bodies.

“While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes let’s fight the illegal mining but at the same time, let’s bring the new technology that will help us protect our environment.

“Now with the elephant in the room, state of emergency, yes, I have the power to do it, but the president acts on the advice of the National Security Council, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Council believes that we can win the fight against galamsey, declaring a state of emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I won’t hesitate,” he added.

President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops as well as invests more resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to fighting it.

“While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes let’s fight the illegal mining but at the same time, let’s bring the new technology that will help us protect our environment.

“Now with the elephant in the room, state of emergency, yes, I have the power to do it, but the president acts on the advice of the National Security Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority believes that we can win the fight against galamsey, declaring a state of emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I won’t hesitate,” he added.