The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revealed that more than 191 excavators are currently being monitored under a new centralised digital tracking system as part of efforts to curb 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 said 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 tracking of earth-moving and mining equipment, prevent duplication, and give authorised agencies access to live operational data.
“This system will ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and provide authorised institutions with real-time data,” he said.
The initiative, he said, is grounded in Legislative Instrument 2404, the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations-Tracking of Earth Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020, which makes it mandatory for all mining and earth-moving machinery to be registered and operated only within approved concession areas.
“L.I. 2404 ensures that machinery and equipment are tracked in real time and used only in mining areas for which they have been registered,” the Minister emphasised.
