The Chamber of Licensed Gold Buyers (CLGB) has called for a responsible, inclusive and enforceable approach to the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana, stressing that the process must go beyond simply registering mining activities.

In a proposed policy statement on ASM formalisation, the Chamber said Ghana’s efforts must distinguish between illegal and environmentally destructive mining operations and those that can be organised to operate lawfully and responsibly.

It argued that the absence of visible pollution in water bodies should not, on its own, be treated as proof that a mining operation is legal or environmentally responsible.

According to the CLGB, each mining site requires a proper assessment to establish whether it meets legal, environmental and operational standards.

The Chamber summarised its position under the guiding principle: “Formalise responsibility—not merely activity.”

It said a credible formalisation programme must establish clear eligibility requirements and non-negotiable exclusions, while making licensing and access to legally recognised mining areas more accessible to eligible operators.

The proposed framework also calls for a genuine compliance arrangement that clearly outlines the responsibilities of miners and relevant institutions. It further recommends measures to ensure that gold is traceable and purchased through responsible channels.

The CLGB said independent monitoring, effective enforcement and appropriate remedies for breaches of regulations must also form part of the process.

It maintained that formalisation should not end with the issuance of licences but must be supported by practical measures that enable miners to meet environmental, safety and other regulatory requirements.

The Chamber cited experiences from Mongolia, Peru and Tanzania as examples of countries whose approaches to organising and formalising artisanal and small-scale mining could offer useful lessons for Ghana.

It pointed to Mongolia’s Sustainable Artisanal Mining programme, Peru’s formalisation efforts and Tanzania’s use of designated mining areas, service centres and centres of excellence.

The CLGB proposed a six-stage approach for Ghana, beginning with mapping and consultation, followed by the registration and screening of operators.

The subsequent stages involve authorising eligible sites under clearly defined conditions, supporting miners to meet compliance requirements, verifying compliance and enforcing regulations, and measuring outcomes to guide improvements.

The Chamber said a successful formalisation programme must consider the economic, social and technological dimensions of small-scale mining, particularly the livelihoods of people who depend on the sector.

It argued that protecting natural resources and preserving livelihoods should not be treated as competing objectives.

Instead, Ghana needs a system that creates opportunities for lawful mining while holding operators accountable for environmental damage and other regulatory breaches.

The CLGB also emphasised the importance of responsible gold buying and traceability across the supply chain, describing them as essential elements of efforts to improve governance in the sector.

It concluded that formalisation must be accessible to eligible miners, subject to verification, fairly implemented and backed by effective environmental enforcement.

The Chamber said Ghana’s objective should be to build a system that supports lawful livelihoods and responsible gold production while protecting the country’s water bodies and other natural resources.