Minerals Commission to suspend new applications as it cleans up licensing system

The Minerals Commission has announced a temporary suspension of new mineral rights applications as it undertakes a comprehensive clean-up of its Mineral Cadastre Register.

In a notice to the public and stakeholders in the mining sector, the Commission said the online Mineral Cadastre Portal will be closed to all new applications for small-scale, industrial minerals and large-scale mineral rights from March 20 to June 19, 2026.

The suspension is intended to allow the Commission to clear backlogs and process pending applications currently within the system. During this period, no new submissions will be accepted through the portal.

Officials say the exercise forms part of broader efforts to improve fairness, transparency and accountability in the administration of mineral rights in Ghana.

The Commission has urged prospective applicants and industry stakeholders to take note of the directive and cooperate accordingly.

It added that it regrets any inconvenience the temporary closure may cause, but emphasised that the move is necessary to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the country’s mineral licensing regime.