Parliament has approved six mining lease agreements between the Government of Ghana and four major mining firms, satisfying constitutional requirements to grant mineral exploitation rights and drive local socio-economic development.
The agreements presented to the House by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, were reviewed and recommended by the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and Natural Resources pursuant to Article 268 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 5(4) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
Approved Leases and Operations
The ratified concessions cover extensive gold and mineral deposits spanning multiple districts:
Golden Star (Wassa) Limited: Mining rights for gold in Wassa Akyempin (63.000 km2)
), located in the Wassa East District of the Western Region. The 25-year lease runs through January 24, 2047.
Maripoma Mining Services Limited: Concession for gold and other minerals covering (63.000 km2)
in Zongoiri, Bawku West District, Upper East Region. The 25-year lease runs through March 11, 2049.
Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited (Nanankaw Agyakusu): Gold exploration across (55.44 km2)
stretching through the Upper Denkyira West District (Central Region) and Wassa Amenfi East District (Western Region).
Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited (Ayanfuri): Lease covering (51.45 km2)
across the Upper Denkyira West and Wassa Amenfi East Districts.
Damang Gold Mine Limited (Damang): Lease covering (37.83 km2)
in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region. The 25-year term runs through June 14, 2051.
Damang Gold Mine Limited (Lima South): Concession covering (33.58 km2)
in the Prestea-Huni-Valley District. The lease runs through June 14, 2046.
Regulatory Review and Capacity Assessment
According to the committee's report, the Minerals Commission conducted thorough technical and financial evaluations prior to recommending the grants. The commission confirmed that each corporate entity possessed the requisite technical expertise, capital resources, and human capital to undertake sustainable mining operations.
Environmental Constraints and Buffer Protections
Addressing concerns over environmental protection and proximity to sensitive zones, the committee emphasized strict regulatory safeguards embedded in the agreements.
The contracts explicitly bar companies from carrying out mining activities within 100 metres of any forest reserve, water body, public road, railway line, or public infrastructure without prior written permission. Representatives of the Minerals Commission further clarified that a mining lease does not automatically authorize operations inside forest reserves, as firms must independently secure specialized entry permits and satisfy stringent environmental standards.
Minority Observations
While the ratification passed, Ranking Member on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, voiced caution on behalf of the Minority Caucus. He noted that Parliament should ensure maximum oversight by evaluating the complete transactional terms and operational details before granting final approvals for major natural resource concessions.
