"All mining machinery must be registered by August 1" – Government warns

In a sweeping move to tighten regulations and bring sanity to Ghana’s mining sector, the government has announced a new directive requiring all machinery used for mining activities to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) by August 1, 2025.

The policy, which forms part of broader reforms aimed at sanitizing the mining industry, was disclosed in a statement signed by the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and copied to all media houses on Tuesday.

According to the statement, failure to register mining equipment by the stated deadline will result in confiscation by the State.

The government has tasked the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the DVLA, to begin full-scale enforcement of the directive starting August 2, 2025.

"The Ghana Police Service and the DVLA have been directed to rigorously enforce this directive from 2nd August 2025 onward," the statement read.

The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the new policy is aimed at streamlining operations in the mining sector, curbing illegal mining activities, and enhancing internal security.

Targeting Illegal Mining and Unregulated Machinery

The directive is widely seen as part of the government’s intensified fight against galamsey (illegal small-scale mining), which has led to widespread environmental degradation, water pollution, and loss of life in mining communities across the country.

By mandating registration of all mining machinery, authorities hope to monitor the movement and usage of heavy-duty equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, and tipper trucks—many of which are believed to be used in unlicensed mining operations.

Call for Compliance

The Ministry urged all stakeholders—especially mining companies, small-scale miners, and equipment owners—to comply with the directive within the stipulated time frame.

> “The general public, especially those who use mining machinery, are advised to take note and comply with the directive,” the Minister stated.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to promoting internal security and maintaining law and order across the country.

This latest directive comes amidst increased public pressure on the government to take decisive action to address illegal mining and its associated consequences.

Background

Ghana’s mining sector, while a key contributor to the economy, has been plagued by issues of illegal operations, lack of transparency, and inadequate enforcement of regulations.

Past efforts, including the deployment of anti-galamsey task forces, have yielded mixed results.

With this new directive, the government appears to be shifting towards a more systemic and traceable approach to monitoring mining machinery and operators across the country.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith