President John Mahama says his government has confiscated 8,200 items used in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, across the country.
Speaking at the Mining in Motion conference on Monday, 19th October, he said the seized items included 135 excavators and more than 200 firearms.
“We have achieved some successes in the fight against illegal mining. We have confiscated more than 8,200 items, this includes Chan-fan machines, excavators and other equipment use in illegal mining,”
“We have confiscated 135 excavators that were used in illegal mining, and we have retrieved almost 200 firearms that people involved in illegal mining have,” the president revealed at the conference held in Accra to discuss the country’s extractive sector.
The figures outline the scale of equipment and weapons recovered through the government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining, the president noted and commended those working in the area.
“I commend the efforts of all those involved in the fight against illegal mining and those involved in the fight against environmental destruction,” the president said.
Illegal mining remains a major concern in Ghana because of its impact on water bodies, forests and agricultural land.