GoldBod to formalise informal small-scale miners within six months

GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi has announced the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), an initiative designed to transition informal small-scale miners into legally recognised cooperatives. The programme aims to complete the formalisation process for eligible miners within a six-month window. This move, which has received Cabinet approval, is part of a broader national strategy to regularise artisanal mining and integrate it into the formal economic sector through organised registration and licensing.

Under the rCOMSDEP framework, participating miners will receive comprehensive training in environmentally sustainable mining practices and mercury-free processing techniques. To ensure strict adherence to environmental standards, the programme will direct these newly formed cooperatives to specific land areas that have been vetted and approved by relevant governmental regulatory bodies. This structured approach is intended to provide a viable alternative to unregulated mining activities while ensuring that operations do not further degrade the environment.

The initiative is a key component of the Amendment Bill to the Minerals and Mining Act, reflecting a legislative commitment to addressing the challenges of illegal mining. Mr. Gyamfi highlighted that by organising miners into formal cooperatives, the programme seeks to facilitate indigenous ownership in Ghana’s mineral sector and create sustainable job opportunities. The formalisation process is expected to improve environmental management and ensure that the economic benefits of the small-scale mining industry are better captured for national development.

Drawing on successful formalisation models from countries such as Colombia, Mongolia, Peru, and Tanzania, rCOMSDEP incorporates international best practices to balance economic livelihoods with ecological protection. As the programme begins its implementation phase, it represents a significant step toward ending the environmental destruction associated with galamsey by providing artisanal miners with a clear, legal, and supported pathway to operate within the national regulatory framework.