The government has completely revoked the Legislative Instrument L.I 2462 which granted power to the President to authorise mining in forest reserves in the country.

This comes after the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025 matured into law on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 following its laying in Parliament by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

The move forms part of the government’s renewed efforts towards the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

L.I. 2462, which allows mining activities in forest reserves, has faced fierce criticism from environmental activists and the public for its role in exacerbating the damaging effects of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

Many environmental and civil-society groups argued that L.I. 2462 opened up forest reserves to industrial mining in a way that undermines forest protection.