Government seizes 56 excavators, arrests 18 in anti-galamsey crackdown

The government's intensified crackdown on illegal mining has resulted in the seizure of 56 excavators and the arrest of 18 individuals in a series of joint military and Forestry Commission operations across three regions.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed this on Wednesday, March 19, while addressing Parliament on efforts to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

The operations also led to the confiscation of 25 "chanfang" machines, two payloaders, three bulldozers, three pickup trucks, seven pumping machines, and four pump-action rifles, marking a significant step in the fight against environmental degradation.

Amid reports of political actors obstructing the anti-galamsey task force in Dunkwa, Mr. Buah assured lawmakers that the arrests were made strictly based on illegal activities, without political bias.

He emphasised that the fight to rid the country of illegal mining must not be influenced by political power. “Anyone found engaging in illegal mining, regardless of their political connections, will face the full force of the law,” he stressed. He also confirmed that investigations were ongoing into allegations of political interference in enforcement efforts.

The minister outlined a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal mining, which includes stricter law enforcement, stakeholder engagement, alternative job creation, and the reclamation of degraded lands.

Since assuming office in February, he has established two high-level committees to assess small-scale mining operations and recommend policy changes.

One committee is focusing on illegal mining in forests and water bodies, while the second, composed of senior military and security experts, is analysing the terrain to propose actionable solutions.

As part of broader reforms, the government has revoked all small-scale mining licences issued after December 7, 2024, citing procedural lapses.

A newly formed licensing review committee has been tasked with auditing previously issued permits to ensure compliance. To enhance transparency, Mr. Buah announced plans to decentralise the licensing process, allowing district-level authorities to play a direct role in granting permits. “The goal is to ensure that small-scale mining is conducted legally and sustainably to protect our environment and water bodies,” he stated.

To restore degraded lands, President John Mahama is set to launch the ‘Tree for Life Restoration Initiative’ on March 21 in the Ashanti Region. The project aims to rehabilitate mined-out areas while creating green jobs for youth in affected communities. Additionally, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has introduced the ‘Blue Water Initiative’ to restore heavily polluted river bodies.

Mr. Buah assured Parliament that all confiscated mining equipment would remain in police custody until legal proceedings conclude, ensuring transparency in the handling of cases.