The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says the Office of the Attorney-General is prosecuting nearly 1,500 cases of illegal mining across the country, with the cases currently at various stages of trial.
Addressing journalists on Friday, October 10, 2025, the Director of Communications at the Ministry, Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, said the arrests were made by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) within the past nine months, a reflection of government’s renewed resolve to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
She revealed that several mining equipment and vehicles had been confiscated since January 2025, including excavators, changfang machines, heavy-duty water pumps, generators, and Land Cruisers. Other seized items include mobile phones, mercury, Indian hemp, torchlights, shovels, and pickaxes.
“We have seen close to 1,500 arrests over the period, and the Attorney-General is working on prosecutions. The law is the law, and if you break it, there will be consequences,” she said.
Mawuenyefia also disclosed that Cabinet has approved a bill for the establishment of special tribunal courts to fast-track the prosecution of illegal mining cases, which will be laid before Parliament when it reconvenes.
“There is political will, and this government is resolved and unwavering in its commitment to bringing an end to this threat,” she added.
According to her, about 400 NAIMOS personnel have been deployed to various mining zones and identified hotspots to prevent illegal miners from returning to the sites.
The Ministry has also urged the public to report galamsey activities via the NAIMOS hotline — 0240700487.
