Ghana’s responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) can draw valuable lessons from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalisation initiatives in Colombia, Mongolia, Peru and Tanzania, Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi has said.
In a statement dated October 31, 2026, Mr Gyamfi outlined the approaches adopted by the four countries and how Ghana’s proposed programme could help formalise small-scale mining, improve environmental protection and create sustainable employment.
The rCOMSDEP, championed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, seeks to organise eligible informal artisanal miners into cooperatives, provide them with training and facilitate their licensing to operate legally.
Lessons from other countries
Mr Gyamfi cited Colombia’s 2022 Law 2250, which established a framework for the legalisation and formalisation of artisanal and small-scale miners.
Under the law, traditional miners can apply for formalisation through the Comprehensive Mining System and are exempted from criminal charges for unauthorised mining under a directive of the Ministry of Defence.
In Mongolia, revisions to ASM regulations in 2017 enabled miners to operate legally through registered partnerships and cooperatives.
The country’s formalisation process involved identifying informal miners, locally known as “Ninja miners”, and organising them into recognised groups. The initiative received commendation from the United Nations Environment Programme for its contribution to improving miners’ organisation, technology, safety and environmental practices.
Peru established its Comprehensive Registry for Mining Formalisation (REINFO) in 2012 to identify and verify informal artisanal and small-scale miners.
In July 2025, 50,565 miners were removed from the registry for non-compliance, while 31,560 received an exceptional extension to continue their formalisation process until December 31, 2025.
Mr Gyamfi also highlighted Tanzania’s approach, which involved identifying and registering eligible miners, allocating recognised mining areas and issuing Primary Mining Licences.
The initiative received a boost in 2016 under former President John Magufuli, who directed the government to expand mining opportunities for informal operators.
More than 5,000 mining groups were formed, while miners received geological and technical assistance and access to model ASM centres and mercury-free processing facilities.
Ghana’s formalisation strategy
Under rCOMSDEP, eligible informal miners will be registered into cooperatives through the Department of Cooperatives and trained in sustainable mining practices, mercury-free processing, land reclamation and environmentally responsible operations.
The programme aims to facilitate the full formalisation and licensing of registered cooperatives within six months.
Licensed cooperatives will be directed to suitable mineralised areas approved by the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Resources Commission and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Mr Gyamfi said the programme had received Cabinet approval and was provided for in an amendment bill to the Minerals and Mining Act currently before Parliament.
He added that eligibility would exclude miners operating in areas encumbered by mineral rights or in locations where their activities could negatively affect water bodies, forest reserves and communities.
GoldBod financing and technical support
The Ghana Gold Board is collaborating with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to support the programme as part of its statutory mandate to promote formalisation of the small-scale mining industry.
Under its ASM Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP), GoldBod, in partnership with the University of Mines and Technology, plans to provide financing and technical support to licensed small-scale miners and cooperative mines from 2027.
The support will cover geological investigations, concession viability assessments, equipment financing, land reclamation, mercury-free processing and other forms of capital and technical assistance.
Mr Gyamfi said the initiative aligned with the National Democratic Congress’ 2024 manifesto commitments on the mining sector.
Call for bipartisan support
Despite implementation challenges in the four countries examined, Mr Gyamfi said their experiences offered useful lessons for Ghana’s formalisation efforts.
He called for bipartisan support and contributions from industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, religious bodies, opinion leaders and the wider public.
He said rCOMSDEP, alongside enforcement efforts by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), could help improve sustainability in Ghana’s mining sector.
Mr Gyamfi said properly organised artisanal and small-scale mining could improve mineral recovery, safety and environmental protection, create jobs, generate foreign exchange, strengthen reserves and promote indigenous enterprise.
