Ghana Lands Minister Reveals Crackdown on Galamsey Equipment Operators

Over 4,000 excavators remain at Ghana's ports as the government tightens controls on the importation and deployment of heavy-duty mining equipment. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed a crackdown on galamsey equipment to prevent diversion to illegal mining operations.

New System for Importing Excavators

The new system requires importers to provide details of the intended owner, end user, and location where each excavator is expected to operate before the equipment can be cleared. Mr Buah said the previous system did not provide sufficient safeguards to establish where imported excavators eventually ended up, creating a gap that could be exploited by illegal mining operators.

The Minerals Commission has established a regulatory presence at the ports to verify the documentation associated with mining equipment before Customs clearance. Importers are expected to identify the person or entity for whom an excavator is being imported, its intended destination, and the operation for which it will be used.

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Tracking Devices and Geofencing

The government plans to equip approved excavators with tracking devices and use geofencing technology to monitor their movements. This system is expected to enable regulators to detect when a machine moves outside its approved operational area. The broader objective is to establish a traceable system covering every excavator operating in Ghana.

The Minister said the government's aim is to prevent heavy equipment from reaching illegal mining sites in the first place. He acknowledged that the system could present difficulties for businesses that import excavators in bulk for resale, but emphasized the need for importers to provide evidence of legitimate orders or identifiable end users before the machines are cleared.

Enforcement and Regulation

As of July 2026, the authorities had seized 200 excavators and immobilised another 34. They had also arrested 258 suspects, seized 1,469 pumping machines, and immobilised 1,259. The figures have heightened the focus on preventing heavy equipment from reaching illegal mining sites in the first place.

The effectiveness of the new regime will depend on the government's ability to maintain a verifiable trail from the point of importation through ownership and deployment to the actual location of each machine. Questions also remain over how breaches of approved operating locations will be detected, which agencies will respond to alerts, and the sanctions that will apply to owners whose equipment is diverted.

The Ministry is prepared to engage operators that demonstrate a genuine commitment to correcting breaches and preventing their recurrence. The discussions formed part of broader efforts to strengthen regulation of Ghana's mining sector while addressing illegal mining and its environmental impact.

The government's crackdown on galamsey equipment is a significant step towards preventing the environmental degradation and social harm caused by illegal mining. The new system and tracking technology will provide a more transparent and accountable process for the importation and deployment of heavy-duty mining equipment. As the government continues to enforce these regulations, it is essential that all stakeholders work together to prevent the diversion of equipment to illegal mining operations.

Source: JOY