Ghana has introduced a nationwide tracking system for all imported excavators and earth-moving equipment, a move aimed at improving oversight, enhancing transparency, and curbing illegal mining.
The system monitors machinery from the port of entry through registration with the Minerals Commission, ensuring proper usage and accountability across the country.
Speaking on the initiative, President John Dramani Mahama said, “We have instituted a tracking system for all imported excavators and earth-moving equipment.”
This measure complements broader enforcement efforts by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NIMOS), which has coordinated the seizure of hundreds of excavators, water pumps, and chamfering machines, alongside over 1,400 arrests of illegal mining suspects.
Currently, 1,200 excavators are undergoing the permitting process with the Transport Ministry, Customs, and the Minerals Commission. Of these, 1,015 have been registered, with 647 fitted with tracking devices.
Another 600 units remain at the ports awaiting clearance, while 350 additional tracking devices are expected by September 12, 2025, to strengthen monitoring efforts.
The system forms part of the government’s comprehensive plan to protect Ghana’s natural resources. Blue water guards, numbering 2,000 by year-end, are being deployed to major river bodies to monitor activities, restore water systems, and prevent illegal mining.
By formalizing the tracking of imported mining equipment, the government aims to ensure that operations contribute to sustainable economic growth, safeguard communities, and preserve forest reserves and river ecosystems.
