Togo has announced the temporary suspension of the issuance of mining permits for prospecting and exploration for mineral substances throughout the country, with the exception of construction materials and industrial minerals. This measure, described as a “strategic pause,” aims to enable a comprehensive reform of the Mining Code, considered obsolete in the face of current environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Providing the mining sector with a more rigorous legal framework

This decision is part of the institutional reforms initiated under the Fifth Republic, established after the adoption of the new Constitution in May 2024. The government thus aims to provide the mining sector with a more rigorous, transparent, sustainable, and inclusive legal framework to ensure the responsible exploitation of natural resources, while taking into account the needs of local communities and environmental imperatives.

The current Mining Code, adopted in 1996 and amended in 2003, is currently being reviewed to modernize it and align it with international standards. The suspension of exploration permits mainly concerns high-value substances such as gold, phosphate, and iron. Activities related to construction materials and industrial minerals are not affected.

Strengthening control mechanisms

The Togolese government intends to send a strong signal to investors and partners by affirming its commitment to better, more equitable, and sustainable governance of the extractive sector. This administrative pause aims to avoid any rush into granting new permits before the new legal framework is in place. This framework is expected to clarify procedures and strengthen control mechanisms.

This temporary suspension marks a strategic turning point for the Togolese mining sector, with the ambition of building a more responsible, transparent economic model that respects contemporary social and environmental issues.