Over 4,000 excavators held at ports under new galamsey control measures – Lands Minister reveals
More than 4,000 excavators are currently being held at Ghana’s ports as government tightens controls over the importation and use of heavy-duty equipment that could be deployed for illegal mining.
Over 4,000 heavy-duty excavators are presently detained at Ghana's ports following the government's tightening of controls on the importation and utilization of such machinery that could potentially be utilized for illegal mining. This move was disclosed by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, as part of efforts to prevent excavators from entering the nation without clear information regarding their intended usage and location.
Under the new protocol, importers are obligated to furnish information about the importer, end user, and the location where the excavator will be employed before the equipment can be cleared.
The Minerals Commission has established a presence at the ports to assist in the verification process. Excavators that receive approval will be equipped with tracking devices and subjected to geofencing, enabling authorities to monitor their movements and ensure they adhere to their declared areas of operation. Buah stated that the ultimate goal is to ensure that every excavator operating in Ghana can be traced, thereby making it more challenging for heavy equipment to be diverted to illegal mining sites.
This measure is a part of the government's broader strategy to disrupt the equipment and logistics supporting illegal mining, alongside enforcement operations in forest reserves and mining communities.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
