Introduction
Mining is one of the most significant industries in Ghana, contributing heavily to the economy and playing a central role in the country’s development.
In 2023, the Mining and Quarrying sector (excluding oil and gas) contributed GHC 13.967 billion to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), representing 8.1% of the total GDP thus making it the country’s third most valuable economic activity1. As one of Africa’s top gold producers, Ghana also harbors a wealth of other minerals such as bauxite, manganese, diamonds, and even more recently, the discovery of lithium. The process
of discovering and extracting these minerals is governed by strict legal frameworks.One of the primary legislative instruments regulating mining activities in the country is the Minerals and Mining Act,2006 (Act 703) as Amended2.
This act provides a comprehensive legal framework for mineral resource management, including the processes involved in exploring, discovering, and developing minerals on a mining
concession. This article will provide an in-depth exploration of how the discovery of other minerals within a mining concession is regulated under Act 703. We will discuss the procedures, rights, obligations, and challenges associated with mineral exploration, focusing on the law’s applicability to the discovery of additional minerals beyond those initially licensed for extraction.
