Ghana Gold Board launches consultations on 2027 formalisation programme for small-scale miners

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has initiated wide-ranging consultations with industry stakeholders on an ambitious programme designed to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining operations and provide financial support to eligible participants. The Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Formalisation and Financing Support Programme is scheduled for launch in 2027 and represents a significant policy shift aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of informal mining in Ghana.

The consultation process involves key government agencies, small-scale miners' associations, civil society organisations and other industry players. GoldBod emphasises that these engagements are critical to ensuring the programme addresses real industry needs and can be implemented effectively across Ghana's mining regions.

Programme objectives and expected benefits

According to GoldBod, the initiative aims to transition eligible informal miners into a properly regulated system while maintaining stronger oversight of their activities. The Board anticipates several positive outcomes, including increased gold production, higher mineral revenues for the state, job creation in mining communities, reduced operational costs for compliant miners, and mitigation of environmental damage linked to unregulated mining practices.

Significantly, GoldBod has been explicit that the programme is not intended to legitimise galamsey or illegal mining operations. Rather, it seeks to help operators who can meet licensing and compliance standards to formalise their businesses and operate within Ghana's regulatory framework. Participants will be required to be licensed, monitored and held accountable for both environmental and operational standards.

Addressing Ghana's illegal mining crisis

This formalisation effort forms part of broader government strategy to combat illegal mining, which has become a major concern for environmental protection and economic management. By bringing eligible operators into a regulated system, authorities aim to reduce the prevalence of completely uncontrolled mining that causes significant ecological damage and generates no tax revenue.

GoldBod is developing the programme in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) and the Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF). South Africa's Rand Refinery is providing technical support to the initiative, suggesting international best-practice input into programme design.

Why this matters for Ghana

Ghana's small-scale and artisanal mining sector employs hundreds of thousands of people, particularly in rural areas, yet much of this activity occurs outside formal regulatory channels. The proposed formalisation programme addresses a genuine policy tension: how to support legitimate livelihoods whilst combating illegal mining and environmental degradation.

Success of this initiative could transform Ghana's mining landscape by expanding the tax base, improving environmental compliance, and creating pathways for informal operators to access formal financing and insurance. However, implementation will require careful calibration to ensure that formalisation requirements do not become prohibitively expensive for genuine small-scale operators.

The consultations come amid recent public controversy surrounding GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi's comments on formalising unlicensed miners. The Board has dismissed allegations that he endorsed illegal mining, claiming a video of his remarks was selectively edited and lacked important context. This clarification underscores the sensitivity around mining policy in Ghana and the need for clear communication as the programme develops.