The agreement formed part of the government’s broader strategy to create structured pathways for artisanal and small-scale mining communities to operate legally, responsibly and profitably.

Under the new agreement, the GGSA would conduct comprehensive geological investigations in designated “blocked-out” areas assigned to the MDF by the Minerals Commission.

The investigations would assess mineral viability and environmental risk to ensure that only suitable sites were approved for extraction.

The agreement was signed between the Administrator of the MDF, Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei and the Director-General of the GGSA, Dr Prosper Akaba, in Accra, last Monday.

The administrator of the MDF described the agreement as a turning point in the country's approach to managing its mineral wealth at the grassroots level.

“We are giving communities the tools, data and legal backing to mine responsibly, protect their environment and benefit sustainably from their natural resources,” she said.

The agreement formed part of the latest efforts to address illegal mining. It is intended to augment the country’s heavy reliance on an interdiction and prosecution approach to combat illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as “galamsey.”                            

Dr Bisiw-Kotei added that, while the Blue Water Guards intervention and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) protected water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands, the new agreement would also enhance data-driven regulations to tackle the menace.

“We are pursuing this additional strategic and innovative solutions to advance President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for the sector, under the leadership of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah,” she said.

Dr Akaba said the scientific foundation provided by the authority would distinguish the new approach from previous reform attempts.

“With proper investigation, we can ensure that mining activities are conducted in areas that minimise environmental risks and maximise economic benefits,” he said.

Dr Akaba added that the agreement fell under the country’s national policy on cooperative mining licenses for artisanal and small-scale mining communities, adding that it was expected to strengthen efforts to formalise the sector, while safeguarding the environment.