Ministers of Mines from across Africa are calling for sweeping policy reforms to unlock the full potential of the continent’s mineral wealth. Speaking at the just-concluded ‘Mining in Motion’ 2025 Summit in Accra, ministers from Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emphasized the need for bold legal and regulatory changes to improve governance, formalize artisanal mining, and drive sustainable development.
Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, unveiled a comprehensive five-pillar strategy aimed at reforming the country’s mining sector. Among the reforms is a proposal to introduce a medium-scale mining category, bridging the gap between artisanal and large-scale operations. The strategy also targets enhanced enforcement, environmental restoration, stakeholder engagement, and alternative livelihoods for those previously involved in illegal mining.
“We are overhauling the Minerals and Mining Act to attract new investments and better support artisanal and small-scale miners,” Minister Buah said. He added that eight of nine forest reserves previously degraded by illegal mining had already been reclaimed, with reforestation efforts now underway.
Supporting the initiative, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, emphasized the importance of local ownership and access to sustainable mining technology, financing, and responsible markets.
Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot J.M. Paye, echoed Ghana’s approach, describing small-scale mining as vital to livelihoods across the continent. “To make the sector productive, we must simplify regulations and ensure intergovernmental coordination. We’re bringing miners to the table,” Paye said, noting that formalizing artisanal mining is now a national priority under Liberia’s development plan.
Malawi’s Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, highlighted the country’s long-term strategy under its national Minerals and Mining Policy. He pointed to efforts in human capital development, infrastructure investment, and the use of modern technologies. “We are linking ASM miners to banks so they can grow their formal enterprises,” he noted.
Adding the voice of Central Africa, Godard Motemona Gibolum, Deputy Minister of Mines of the DRC, emphasized environmental protection and stricter oversight in ASM operations. “We have a new vision – one in which we are adding more value to minerals and providing jobs for the people of our country,” he said.
Ghana’s own recent reforms—such as the Local Content and Policy Regulation, the Equipment Tracking Regulations, and the Blue Water Initiative—were spotlighted as models for other African nations to emulate. These measures focus on ensuring the use of local expertise, improving environmental standards, and enhancing mineral traceability.
Throughout the summit, panelists stressed that Africa’s mineral wealth can only benefit its people through transparent, inclusive, and environmentally responsible governance. They agreed that reforming mining codes must go hand-in-hand with capacity building, financing access, and community engagement.
The ‘Mining in Motion’ Summit concluded with a united call for a new era of African mining ~ one driven by equitable policies, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
