The government has laid before Parliament the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, in a major step toward tightening regulations on mining activities in protected areas.

The new legislative instrument, expected to mature into law after 21 parliamentary sitting days, will revoke L.I. 2501 — which limited the President’s authority to approve mining in forest reserves — as well as fully repeal L.I. 2462, a regulation that currently permits mining in forest reserves.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the move forms part of a renewed national effort to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The ministry noted that the repeal aligns with broader initiatives including the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) and the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

L.I. 2462 has long been a point of contention, drawing heavy criticism from environmental advocates and civil-society groups who argue the regulation has worsened the destruction caused by illegal and industrial mining operations. Activists insist the law weakened forest protection and gave excessive power to the executive to permit mining in ecologically sensitive areas.

They contend that the regulation created loopholes that miners exploited, contributing to widespread forest degradation and pollution of rivers vital to communities and wildlife.

The government says repealing the regulations will strengthen measures to protect the country’s natural reserves, ensure sustainable land use, and restore confidence in national efforts to tackle illegal mining.