Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has rejected assertions that excavators confiscated from illegal mining sites have gone missing.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament on Thursday, February 26, the Minister addressed concerns over how equipment seized during anti-galamsey operations is managed and monitored.

Illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, continues to pose significant environmental threats in Ghana, with excavators frequently cited as the primary tools driving the destruction of rivers, forest reserves and farmlands.

Over time, critics have raised suspicions about the whereabouts of some machines impounded during enforcement exercises.

However, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah dismissed suggestions of mismanagement, maintaining that detailed records exist for every excavator seized.

“I wish to state categorically that no excavator seized is missing or unaccounted for. The military and the Ministry of Lands have data on all the seized excavators and their locations.”

Beyond addressing the allegations, the Minister announced strengthened regulatory measures to curb the unchecked importation and movement of excavators — a factor widely blamed for fuelling illegal mining activities.

He revealed that government has introduced a nationwide digital tracking system designed to monitor earthmoving equipment across the country.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the Minerals Commission.

“In furtherance to our efforts to regulate the importation of excavators, the Ministry of Lands, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, DVLA, and Minerals Commission, has rolled out a national excavator tracking system which provides a centralised national dashboard to monitor the movement and importation of earthmoving machines into the country.”

The Minister said the new platform will enhance transparency, strengthen oversight and support ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining nationwide.