The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has unveiled a detailed plan to regulate the importation and use of earth-moving equipment, particularly excavators, to combat illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

The announcement came in response to a Parliamentary question by Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, during proceedings on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

The minister speaking on the operationalisation of a directive by President John Dramani Mahama, outlined a multi-agency framework involving the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) - Customs Division, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the Minerals Commission.

The framework, he emphasized is guided by the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations-Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (LI 2404), which requires the registration and real-time monitoring of all earth-moving and mining equipment used in mineral operations.

To regulate importation, the Ministry of Transport under the framework is tasked with issuing permits for excavators and related machinery.

The permits according to the minister are granted only after the DVLA and the Minerals Commission verify that an importer holds a valid mining license or is engaged in legitimate construction or infrastructural projects.

The verification process he said will ensure that only authorized entities can import such equipment, reducing the risk of misuse in illegal activities.

At the ports, the GRA’s Customs Division plays a critical role in enforcing compliance.

He noted that any equipment within the framework will be cleared only upon presentation of an approved import permit, endorsed by both the Ministry of Transport and the Commissioner General of the GRA.

To enhance accountability, the minister said a special clearance code is being integrated into the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), allowing for seamless tracking of permits throughout the importation process.

Once cleared, DVLA plays the role of assigning each piece of equipment a unique identification number plate, distinguished by green print on a white background.

This distinct marking sets excavators and other earth-moving equipment apart from vehicles with conventional plates, facilitating easy identification and monitoring.

“Mr. Speaker, to ensure that we have eyes on the movement of each earthmoving and mining equipment, tracking as required under LI2404, each registered equipment is fitted with a tamper-proof GPS tracker, managed by a centralised Equipment Monitoring and Control Room currently set up and operated by personnel of the Minerals Commission.

"The control room operates 24 hours every day and can monitor the real-time location and movement history of all registered machines across the country, especially those operating in mining districts.

"As we speak, both the DVLA and Minerals Commission operate a 24-hour office at the Tema Port where all registration and tracking activities take place,” the minister added.

The minister of Lands and Natural Resources described the measures as a “coordinated, forward-looking strategy” to regulate the use of heavy equipment in Ghana’s mining and construction sectors.

He highlighted President Mahama’s directive to seize, rather than burn, excavators used in illegal mining, marking a shift toward more sustainable enforcement practices.

The minister expressed confidence that the framework would significantly curb the misuse of excavators in galamsey and strengthen environmental governance.

President Mahama has declared illegal mining a national emergency, citing its severe impact on forests, rivers, and communities. During his Thank You Tour in the Western North Region on July 15, 2025, he underscored the urgency of addressing environmental destruction in areas such as Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi Anhwiaso.

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