Over 191 excavators are being monitored through digital surveillance- Lands Minister reveals

The Honourable Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that in excess of 191 excavators are presently being monitored under a novel centralised digital tracking system as part of efforts to combat illegal mining in Ghana.

Presenting a sector update on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister announced the deployment of the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software, a cutting-edge digital platform developed by the Minerals Commission.

He stated that the system is at an advanced stage and forms part of a broader national strategy to bring transparency and accountability to mining operations.

“The development of a centralised digital platform named the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software has been deployed by the Minerals Commission and is at an advanced stage to support this initiative,” Mr. Buah stated.

He explained that the platform will serve as a single point of integration for key state institutions, including Customs, the DVLA, the Ministry of Transport, National Security, the Minerals Commission, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat.

According to the Minister, the system will enable real-time monitoring of earth-moving and mining equipment, prevent duplication, and grant authorized agencies access to live operational data.

“This system will ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and provide authorized institutions with real-time data,” he noted.

The initiative, he explained, is based on Legislative Instrument 2404, the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations-Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020, which mandates the registration and operation of all mining and earth-moving machinery within approved concession areas. “L.I. 2404 ensures that machinery and equipment are tracked in real-time and used exclusively in mining areas for which they have been registered,” the Minister emphasized.