Ghana is expected to withdraw the draft Minerals and Mining Bill, 2026 now before Parliament and replace it with a revised version that restores a maximum 20-year mining lease term, according to a Reuters report published on Friday, October 9, 2026, citing three people familiar with the matter.
The bill, as published by Parliament, would cap new mining leases at 15 years or the projected life of the mine, whichever is shorter. Ghana’s current law, the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), allows leases of up to 30 years.
Two senior government officials and a mining executive told Reuters the revised bill would set the lease term at a maximum of 20 years. A mines ministry official, speaking anonymously, said: “There was a mistake with the document that eventually went to Parliament and that will be corrected.”
The sources did not say when the revised bill would be reintroduced. The mines ministry and the Minerals Commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mining lease term to rise from 15 years to 20 years in revised bill
The 20-year cap matches the policy position announced by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, in July.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on July 15, 2026, the minister said: “Mining lease period is now fixed at 20 years maximum.”
However, Clause 39(2)(a) of the May 2026 version of the bill sets an initial mining lease of 15 years or the forecast life of the mine, whichever is shorter, creating a gap between the stated policy and the text before Parliament.
How the mining lease terms compare
- Current law (Act 703, 2006): up to 30 years
- Draft Minerals and Mining Bill, 2026 (May version): 15 years or projected life of mine, whichever is shorter
- Government policy (July 15, 2026) and expected revised bill: maximum of 20 years
- Earlier amendment proposal criticised by the Chamber of Mines (February 2026): 15 years, renewable once for 10 years
Chamber of Mines welcomes “good compromise positions”
Ghana Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Ken Ashigbey told Reuters that talks with the authorities had produced “good compromise positions”, including the proposed 20-year lease term. He said remaining issues would be taken up in Parliament.
On Wednesday, October 7, the Chamber issued a rejoinder asking Reuters to clarify its September 30 report on the bill. The Chamber said the report did not adequately reflect existing law on special shares or the government’s stated position on lease durations.
The Chamber argued that the minister’s statement reflects government policy intention but does not amend the bill unless Parliament changes the provision. It asked that coverage clearly separate the bill’s current text from the later policy statement.
The industry body had opposed shorter tenures since early 2026. In February, Chamber President Michael Edem Akafia described the proposal to cut leases from 30 to 15 years as untenable and out of line with practice in mining jurisdictions such as Canada and Australia.
Special share rule in the Ghana mining bill explained
The draft bill also allows the mines minister to require a mining company to issue the State a special share, giving it consent rights over key transactions. These include transfers of mining leases, voluntary liquidations and disposals of significant overseas assets linked to Ghanaian operations.
The Chamber says this power is not new. It already exists under Section 60 of Act 703 and is largely carried forward under Clause 57 of the bill, but with tougher penalties for non-compliance.
Under the draft, companies that fail to issue the share within two months could be fined up to the cedi equivalent of US$150,000. The State’s existing 10% free-carried interest in mining companies would be kept.
Other key provisions in the Minerals and Mining Bill, 2026
- The bill would replace the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.
- Government could mandate local processing of minerals.
- Future regulations could ban exports of unprocessed mineral concentrates.
- Holders of existing mineral rights would apply under the new framework at renewal, with priority consideration for equivalent licences.
What the revised mining bill means for investors and mining communities
Mining accounts for about 14% of Ghana’s GDP and more than half of the country’s export earnings, according to Reuters. Lease length is central to whether large miners commit to long-term, capital-heavy projects.
A 20-year cap is shorter than the current 30 years but longer than the 15 years in the draft, which industry players had warned could discourage investment. For mining communities, the bill’s local processing provisions could shape future jobs and revenue.
The reform comes as government continues to tighten oversight of the sector, including the revocation of Adamus Resources’ mining leases earlier this year.
What happens next for the mining bill
The revised bill is expected to be laid in Parliament to replace the current draft, though no date has been given. Industry groups say they will submit their remaining concerns during parliamentary consideration.
Once passed, the law will be administered with the Minerals Commission, the sector regulator.
Key details at a glance
- Ghana expected to replace the draft Minerals and Mining Bill, 2026 with a revised version.
- Revised bill to restore a maximum 20-year mining lease term.
- Draft before Parliament proposes 15 years or life of mine, whichever is shorter.
- Current law allows mining leases of up to 30 years.
- Ministry official says “a mistake” in the document sent to Parliament will be corrected.
- Special share power for the State already exists under Act 703, says the Chamber of Mines.
- No date yet for reintroduction of the revised bill.
FAQs
How long is a mining lease in Ghana under the new bill?
The draft before Parliament proposes 15 years or the life of the mine, whichever is shorter. A revised version is expected to set the maximum at 20 years, in line with government policy.
What is the special share in Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Bill 2026?
It is a share the minister can require a mining company to issue to the State, giving it consent rights over major transactions such as lease transfers. The power already exists under the 2006 Act but the bill raises penalties.
When will Parliament pass the Minerals and Mining Bill 2026?
No date has been announced. The revised bill is expected to replace the current draft before Parliament considers it.
Ghana’s plan to swap the draft Minerals and Mining Bill, 2026 for a revised version would settle the lease term at a maximum of 20 years, closing the gap between the minister’s July policy statement and the text sent to Parliament. Other provisions, including the State’s special share and local processing rules, are set for debate when the revised bill is laid.
