The Acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), Sammy Gyamfi, has assured small-scale miners that the government has no plans to ban their activities.
He said government will support those with legal documentation to operate effectively and responsibly.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga on March 26, 2025, with representatives from the Upper East and North East Regions, Gyamfi emphasized that the government is committed to regulating and strengthening the small-scale mining sector rather than eliminating it.
According to him, legally registered miners will receive concessions, specialized training, and logistical support to enhance their operations. The initiative aims to ensure sustainable mining practices, reduce environmental degradation, and boost economic benefits for local communities.
However, he stressed that miners will be required to sell their gold to the government through the soon-to-be-established Goldbod initiative. This measure, he explained, is designed to curb illegal gold exports, increase state revenue, and create a more transparent gold trading system.
The engagement provided an opportunity for industry stakeholders to discuss the future of small-scale mining and the government’s efforts to formalize and support the sector.
“The reason we will not ban small-scale mining is for those who want to do it legally and responsibly. We even want to bring the licences to your doorsteps at the district level by giving you demarcated areas for mining so that you can produce a lot of gold but responsibly.
“When you are done mining, don’t give it to an Indian man, or a Chinese, or even a Ghanaian who is not licensed to buy Gold. But give it to a Ghanaian who has been licensed by the Ghana GoldBod. Because such a licensed person has been given money to buy all the gold for the government, who will intend to go and sell and bring all the proceeds into the country,” he emphasised.
