The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has described illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, as terrorists.

The minister has vowed to eradicate the menace by launching a crackdown on the illicit activities of these miners, which are destroying water bodies and farmlands.

He reaffirmed the government's stance, warning that those involved—along with their political collaborators—will face severe consequences.

“This government is committed to fighting this galamsey menace,” he declared while addressing the media in Accra. His comments underscore a zero-tolerance approach to illegal mining, which has long been blamed for environmental degradation and the pollution of water bodies.

He cautioned individuals against interfering with law enforcement efforts, making it clear that attempts to influence the release of seized equipment or arrested persons would not be tolerated. “Any attempt to make calls for the release of an excavator or a person arrested for galamsey will not be countenanced; they will not succeed,” he warned.

Expressing deep concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining, Mr. Buah did not mince words in describing those involved. “They are terrorists; they are killing us, and we cannot allow this to continue,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s determination to protect the nation’s natural resources.

To expedite legal action against offenders, he revealed that the government has engaged with the Office of the Attorney-General to establish special courts dedicated to prosecuting illegal miners. “We have also had engagements with the Office of the Attorney-General on the need to set up special courts to fast-track cases involving illegal miners. Currently, the Attorney-General is taking steps to constitute dedicated courts for that purpose,” he added.

As part of its latest enforcement efforts, security operations have resulted in the arrest of 76 illegal miners within forest reserves, along with the confiscation of 100 excavators, three bulldozers, and other mining equipment. To prevent any mishandling of seized machinery, the government has introduced a tracking system. “We have developed serial coding for all the seized excavators to ensure that none of them get lost,” Mr. Buah disclosed.

Looking ahead, he signaled the government’s readiness to explore additional measures to curb illegal mining, including a possible state of emergency and a temporary ban on small-scale mining. “The fight against illegal mining is a national priority, and sustained collaboration is essential to ensure lasting success,” he stressed.