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The Government has laid before Parliament the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025. The legislative instrument, which is expected to mature into law in the next 21 sitting days, seeks to revoke L.I 2501, which limited the President’s power to authorise mining in forest reserves and completely revoke L.I 2462. The move forms part of the government’s renewed efforts towards the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey. The Ministry for Environment, Science and Technology said the repeal forms part of a broader national strategy to combat illegal mining, including initiatives such as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) and the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). 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 argue that L.I. 2462 opens up forest reserves to industrial mining in a way that undermines forest protection. Critics say the legal basis is weak and that the Regulations grant too much power to the Minister/President to authorise mining in protected zones, thereby bypassing stronger safeguards.
