Lands Minister unveils cooperative mining programme in Bibiani

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has officially launched the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), reaffirming government’s commitment to ensuring that mining in Ghana is conducted responsibly and sustainably.

Speaking at the launch event in Bibiani, the Minister declared that mining communities “can and should benefit from the mineral deposits in their localities.”

A central feature of the new programme is a directive for large-scale mining companies to release portions of their concessions for cooperative mining. Buah also called on the companies to provide additional support in the form of training, mentorship, and logistics, to empower local miners under the scheme.

the programme’s framework, the Minister stressed that rCOMSDEP is designed to directly benefit local residents by promoting inclusive participation in mining while safeguarding environmental standards.

He highlighted that some large-scale mining firms, including Asante Gold Corporation in Bibiani, have already expressed their readiness to support the initiative, setting an example for industry peers.

Buah urged other mining companies to follow suit, stressing that responsible partnerships between government, industry, and communities are essential to ensuring that resource extraction drives sustainable development across Ghana’s mining regions.