The Minerals Commission has suspended activities under Goldcoast offshore reconnaissance licences covering parts of Ghana’s territorial waters in the Western Region, following concerns from civil society groups and other stakeholders over consultation and potential environmental impacts.
The directive affects reconnaissance licences granted to Goldcoast GRC Ghana Limited on February 9, 2026, for an area near Atwiwa in the Ahanta West Municipality.
The Commission stressed that the action is a temporary suspension of operations and does not amount to a cancellation, revocation or termination of the company’s mineral rights.
“The licences remain in force, subject to their terms and the applicable laws and regulatory requirements,” the Commission said.
Stakeholders Raise Environmental Concerns
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission said they had received representations from civil society organisations and other concerned groups questioning aspects of the licences and the activities proposed under them.
The concerns centre largely on possible environmental and ecological consequences, as well as whether communities and groups likely to be affected had been sufficiently consulted.
Following those representations, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah instructed that activities under the licences be suspended to allow for more extensive engagement.
Goldcoast GRC Ghana Limited has consequently been directed to halt all operations immediately until the required consultations are completed and outstanding issues addressed.
According to the Commission, the temporary halt is intended to allow regulators, state institutions and affected stakeholders to examine environmental, social and ecological concerns before any work proceeds.
Licences Were Granted Under Mining Law
The Commission said the licences were issued within Ghana’s existing constitutional and statutory framework governing mineral rights.
Article 257(6) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 1 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703, vest minerals in their natural state in the President on behalf of the people of Ghana.
Section 31(1) of Act 703 also allows the sector minister, upon recommendation from the Minerals Commission, to grant reconnaissance licences over approved areas.
The Ministry said the offshore licences were authorised to support reconnaissance work and generate verifiable resource estimation data within Ghana’s territorial waters, subject to the company satisfying all other statutory and regulatory approvals before exploration activities began.
The Minerals Commission was careful to distinguish the current directive from a withdrawal of the licences.
“The directive relates solely to the suspension of operational activities pending the completion of all stakeholder engagements required by the applicable legislation.” - Minerals Commission
During the suspension period, Goldcoast GRC Ghana Limited is expected to cooperate with the Commission, relevant state institutions and affected stakeholders.
The Commission said this process should allow regulatory concerns to be resolved before any future reconnaissance work is undertaken.
Responsible Mineral Governance in Focus
The Commission also placed the decision within the broader debate over how Ghana manages its mineral resources.
It said Ghana’s geology still holds significant untapped mineral potential, including what it described as an estimated more than three trillion ounces of gold yet to be discovered.
That potential, it argued, makes transparent and inclusive mineral governance critical, particularly when activities could affect marine environments and nearby communities.
The Minerals Commission and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said they remain committed to stakeholder consultation, environmental protection and responsible mineral development.
For now, the company’s licences remain legally valid, but no operational activity can continue until government is satisfied that the necessary consultations have been completed and stakeholders are adequately aligned.
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