Ghana to Restore 20-Year Lease Limit in Mining Bill

Ghana will replace its draft mining bill currently before Parliament with a revised version that reinstates a maximum 20-year mining lease term, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The decision reverses a previous draft published last month that proposed capping new mining leases at 15 years—down from the 30-year limit under existing law—and granting the mines minister power to demand a special state share in mining firms.

A mines ministry official acknowledged that an error occurred in the initial parliamentary submission and confirmed that the government will issue a corrected document.

The policy shift follows swift pushback from industry stakeholders seeking greater regulatory certainty.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines noted that while the state’s power to require special shares largely mirrors the 2006 Minerals and Mining Act, the draft bill introduces harsher penalties for non-compliance.

Chamber Chief Executive Ken Ashigbey stated that recent negotiations with government officials produced positive compromises, including the 20-year lease agreement, and confirmed that the industry group will raise remaining concerns directly with parliamentary lawmakers.