The Government has formally revoked Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allowed the President to grant permission for mining activities within forest reserves.
The revocation follows the passage of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, which became law on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, after it was laid before Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The move marks a significant step in the government’s renewed campaign against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which has caused extensive destruction to forest reserves and water bodies across the country.
L.I. 2462 had attracted sustained public opposition, with environmental groups and civil society organisations arguing that it weakened protections for forest reserves and indirectly encouraged illegal mining activities.
With the revocation of the instrument, mining activities are now completely prohibited in forest reserves, reinforcing the government’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management.
