DVLA Tracks 9,240 Excavators to Combat Illegal Mining, Faces Challenges with Unregistered Machines
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has registered 9,240 excavators nationwide as part of efforts to regulate heavy machinery and curb illegal mining, known as galamsey, according to Chief Executive Officer Julius Neequaye Kotey.
Speaking on The KeyPoints program, Kotey revealed that 4,955 excavators are fully documented and equipped with tracking devices to ensure they are used solely for approved purposes, such as construction. The remaining 4,335 are recorded but still under scrutiny to verify their intended use. “Once registered, they are tracked, and there is no way they can move outside their permitted zones without detection,” he stated, noting that real-time monitoring alerts security agencies if machines deviate from assigned sites.
However, Kotey acknowledged challenges with unregistered “underground” excavators operating without Ministry clearance, which are often diverted for galamsey activities. These machines, lacking proper documentation, pose a significant hurdle in the fight against illegal mining. The DVLA collaborates with the military, sharing data to support anti-galamsey operations, and has seized non-compliant machines for further action.
Kotey emphasized stricter enforcement measures to control heavy machinery, which plays a central role in the environmental degradation caused by galamsey. The initiative aligns with broader government efforts to protect forests and water bodies from illegal mining’s destructive impact.
