The government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating illegal mining, with the Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, declaring that the battle against galamsey is non-negotiable.

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Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, March 19, he emphasized that tackling illegal mining is not just an environmental issue but a national security priority.

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“This is a fight we must win for the future of our nation,” he declared, stressing that all individuals involved—whether political figures or not—would face the full force of the law.

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He compared galamsey to an act of terrorism, warning that its destructive impact on water bodies, farmlands, and communities would no longer be tolerated.

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The press briefing followed the government’s decision to revoke all small-scale mining licenses issued after December 7, 2024. This move comes in response to a report submitted by a Technical Committee established by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology.

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The committee was tasked with reviewing the current small-scale mining licensing regime and proposing reforms to curb illegal mining.

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Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, outlined some of the key recommendations in the report, which include a major restructuring of the Community Mining Scheme, decentralizing the issuance of small-scale mining licenses, and repealing LI 2462—a law granting the President the power to approve mining activities in forest reserves.

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“The report has armed the ministry, and by extension the government, with all the information necessary to make punitive and radical decisions in the small-scale mining sector,” Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah stated. He commended the committee for its diligent work, describing its findings as a crucial blueprint in the government’s fight against illegal mining.

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Among the most significant recommendations is the dissolution of the current Community Mining Schemes, which the committee found to be ineffective in delivering benefits to local communities. In their place, the government will establish Small-Scale Cooperatives, which will be structured to ensure proper community representation and economic empowerment.

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“Existing Community Mining Schemes exist in name only,” the minister pointed out. “The findings show they are not benefiting the communities as intended. They will be disbanded and replaced with cooperatives formed through due diligence and proper community representation.”

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Hon. Murtala Muhammad echoed the urgency of the government’s mission, underscoring the need for a coordinated approach involving all relevant ministries and stakeholders. He noted that comprehensive reports such as this provide a strong foundation for designing sustainable strategies to combat illegal mining.

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“Comprehensive reports like this are essential to streamline our measures against the galamsey menace,” he stated. He assured the public that the government would take decisive action to prevent further environmental destruction and hold all perpetrators accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.

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