illegal miners are ‘terrorists’—Lands Minister vows crackdown

The government is intensifying its fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey.

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, reaffirmed this commitment. He warned that those involved will face severe consequences.

“This government is committed to fighting this galamsey menace,” he said in Accra. His comments reflect a zero-tolerance approach to illegal mining. This activity has caused significant environmental damage and water pollution.

He cautioned against interfering with law enforcement efforts. Attempts to influence the release of seized equipment or arrested individuals will not be tolerated. “Any attempt to make calls for the release of an excavator or a person arrested for galamsey will not succeed,” he warned.

Mr. Buah expressed deep concern over the impact of illegal mining. He described those involved as “terrorists” harming the nation’s resources. “They are killing us, and we cannot allow this to continue,” he stated.

To speed up legal action against offenders, the government is working with the Attorney-General's Office. They plan to establish special courts for prosecuting illegal miners. “The Attorney-General is taking steps to set up dedicated courts for that purpose,” he added.

Recent security operations led to the arrest of 76 illegal miners in forest reserves. Authorities confiscated 100 excavators, three bulldozers, and other mining equipment. To prevent mishandling of seized machinery, a tracking system has been introduced.

“We have developed serial coding for all seized excavators,” Mr. Buah disclosed.

Looking ahead, the government may explore additional measures against illegal mining. This could include a state of emergency or a temporary ban on small-scale mining. “The fight against illegal mining is a national priority,” he stressed, emphasizing the need for collaboration for lasting success.