The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, has disclosed that 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the Tema Port as part of a nationwide effort to regulate the import and use of heavy-duty machinery in the fight against illegal mining.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 23, the Ellembelle MP explained that the operation is a joint initiative involving the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance (through the GRA-Customs Division), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
“We have initiated a proactive tracking mechanism for all excavators and earth-moving equipment entering the country. So far, 1,200 excavators have been impounded pending validation before clearance at the Tema Port,” he revealed.
To bolster oversight and improve transparency, the Minister announced the deployment of a centralized digital tracking platform—the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software—developed by the Minerals Commission. The system is currently at an advanced stage and has already begun monitoring excavators in real time.
“This platform will be the central point of integration for key agencies including Customs, DVLA, the Ministry of Transport, the Minerals Commission, National Security, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS),” Mr. Kofi-Buah noted.
He disclosed that a pilot project is already in progress, tracking 191 excavators from a dedicated control room managed by the Minerals Commission.
The initiative is supported by the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), which mandates the registration, monitoring, and real-time tracking of mining equipment used across the country.
Mr. Kofi-Buah also highlighted the pivotal role of NAIMOS in coordinating Ghana’s multi-agency response to illegal mining, encompassing legal enforcement, environmental protection, and national security efforts.
“This system ensures operational transparency, eliminates duplication, and allows authorized institutions to access permit history, equipment location, and compliance status in real time,” he said.
