In 2024, Ghana imported GH₵6.2bn in excavators as part of an initiative to reform mining regulations and combat illegal mining. The military task force seized 60 excavators for road construction. The government aims to amend L.I 2462 to prevent mining in forest reserves.
In 2024, Ghana imported GH₵6.2 billion worth of excavators, a move aligned with a government initiative aimed at reforming the mining sector. This initiative is a direct response to recommendations proposed by a working committee assigned to review the existing mining licensing system and combat illegal mining activities effectively.
As part of the ongoing efforts, the Minister of Lands has reported that 60 excavators were confiscated by a military task force in the past two months. Rather than being destroyed, these excavators will be repurposed for use in road construction projects, illustrating a strategic shift in resource management.
Furthermore, the government has successfully recovered seven of the nine forest reserves that had fallen into the hands of illegal miners. Plans are being developed to amend legislative instrument L.I 2462, which will prohibit mining activities in these protected areas and eliminate the President’s authority to issue mining licenses for forest reserves, thereby enhancing environmental protection efforts.
In summary, Ghana’s recent measures to address illegal mining include substantial investments in excavators and strategic resource repurposing. The government’s focus on amending laws to strengthen environmental protections and recover forest reserves indicates a robust approach to ensuring sustainable mining practices in the country.
Original Source: www.adomonline.com
