The Environmental Protection Authority has issued a strong warning to mining companies operating in Ghana, declaring that firms which fail to prevent illegal mining activities within their concessions will face severe regulatory sanctions.
In a press release issued in Accra, the Authority reaffirmed its legal mandate under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 and the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025, stressing that all licensed operators have a statutory responsibility to safeguard the environmental integrity of their concession areas.
The directive comes amid growing concern over the increasing incidence of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, within legally acquired concessions.
According to the EPA, the trend is significantly contributing to environmental degradation, posing a major threat to the country’s natural resources and sustainable development efforts.
The Authority highlighted a range of environmental impacts associated with the practice, including the pollution of rivers and other water bodies, the destruction of forest reserves, and extensive land degradation.
It warned that such developments not only undermine national environmental protection efforts but also compromise the operations of legitimate mining companies.
To address the situation, the EPA has outlined a set of mandatory measures that all mining firms are required to implement immediately.
These include strengthening security within concession areas to prevent encroachment by illegal miners, as well as establishing effective monitoring and surveillance systems to detect and deter unauthorised activities.
Mining companies have also been directed to promptly report any illegal operations within their concessions to the appropriate state authorities, while ensuring full compliance with the conditions of their environmental permits.
The EPA emphasised that strict adherence to approved Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Environmental Management Plans is essential, particularly in preventing pollution and minimising environmental damage within operational zones.
Crucially, the Authority made it clear that any failure by mining firms to protect their concessions or curb illegal mining activities will be treated as a breach of permit conditions.
It warned that such violations could attract sanctions under the Environmental Protection Act, including possible enforcement actions against offending companies.
The latest directive signals a tougher regulatory stance by the EPA as Ghana intensifies efforts to combat illegal mining and protect its environment from further degradation.
