Illegal small-scale gold mining, locally known as Galamsey, continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s forests, waterways, and farmlands.
The brazen attack on the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), Dr Hannah Bissiw, the alleged complicit of security agencies, the recent increasing of the price of Gold, reaching over 3200 per ounce, driving demand amongst miners, the weaponisation of miners amongst other Clear-and-Present-Danger activities, requires a WAR ROOM approach to tackling the menace as a country.
While past attempts to use the military and security agencies achieved limited success, the new approach to limit and regulate the tools used by these illegal miners, i.e. ban on imports of excavators, is an “Eureka” critical intervention. The limiting of fuel transport to operate these excavators is the next logical step.
The media reports that allege that over 1000 new excavators are at our ports awaiting clearing, and over 3000 additional on the high seas, yet due to arrive, give much to worry about, and illustrate a country under invasion.
However, in the twenty-second century, where robot vehicles operate on mars, space ships transverse our solar system with high resolution images of sister planets, Artificial Intelligence, AI self driving cars and taxi’s, food delivery bots that stop at zebra crossings enroute to deliver food, surely there must be technological tools and systems to more effectively monitor, manage and control enough to deter and arrest illegal mining or Galamsey in Ghana, without risking bodily harm and the life of Hon Dr. Bisssiw.
1.0 Galamsey requires a RESET !!!
In this article, I seek to explore some of the new, technology-driven strategies, combining high-resolution satellite imagery, low-cost drones, and artificial-intelligence analysis that can help turn the tide. Below, I explore the key methodologies and lessons that can help our government authorities more effectively detect, deter, and prosecute illegal mining operations.
2.0 WAR ROOM disclaimer
In the use of the phrase WAR ROOM, I am NOT calling for the waging of a military war operation against our fellow Ghanaians.
Rather, to bring the type of high-intensity mission-oriented, centrally managed attention to STOP Galamsey in its tracks in the shortest possible time.
Therefore, I define WAR ROOM, in the context of this article, as a tactical operations centre, optimised for speedy decision making, collaboration between all stakeholders, chain and lines of command and control from WAR ROOM to field operational centres, where critical decisive action can be taken, directed and implemented at responding to the Galamsey menace.
It brings the Stakeholders and the right people, information and technological tools together in one place (physically or virtually) to overcome significant challenges or seize crucial opportunities in the suppression and elimination of Galamsey in Ghana.
Central Command and Control
Our War Room is therefore a location that centralises and Integrates Data for Rapid Response. It should have a Central Command Dashboard, a unified portal that fuses satellite alerts, Satellite and drone footage and imagery, and GPS-tagged citizen reports, amongst others.
As soon as a new site is detected, either by satellite or drone, the system sends automated alerts with geolocated notifications via SMS or a secure app to field rapid-response security agencies.
See and establish the Big Picture.
In our War room, the first order of business is to “See and establish the Big Picture”.
This requires the engagement of Commercial Satellites that generate high-resolution imagery of all mining sites across the country, both licensed and unlicensed, legal and illegal. These HR satellite images are taken frequently and deliver images with resolutions as fine as 30 cm per pixel.
This is the level of resolution that can pinpoint men in a field, gold washing chamfams, excavators, vehicles, pots and pans, can even measure the roof area of a building and therefore map out the size of any legal mining zone or area with the accuracy of a foot ruler.
By comparing successive images, analysts can spot easily newly cleared lands or even the tell-tale signs of sediment plumes in rivers, which are early warning signs of illicit digging.
Seeing the big picture also does mean that both legal and illegal mining sites are plotted and superimposed on these High-Resolution satellite images. By feeding all licensed Mining sites and their respective boundaries, past galamsey sites, forest reserves, road networks, and waterway and their proximity into AI mapping models, authorities have a high-level awareness of the state of mining in Ghana.
Geofencing Licensed Areas, Virtual boundaries around legal concessions ensure that any detected disturbance outside permitted zones instantly triggers an investigation. This easily identifies illegal sites, helping them allocate patrols proactively. Artificial Intelligence, AI modelling can also predict where illegal activity is most likely to emerge next.
In our War Room, the frequently taken High Resolution satellite images provide that one can automatically (using Machine-learning models as necessary) detect changes in vegetation loss or water turbidity changes, etc. When a suspicious alteration appears outside licensed zones, the system flags it for urgent review by security agencies.
3.0 On-The-Ground Reconnaissance
The urgent review of alterations and infractions from the War Room to the security agencies can be made more effective by the deployment of Drones for localised reconnaissance. This will give security agencies what I will term On-The-Ground Precision.
Drones are of two key types. The fixed wing and the multirotor, with the quadrotor being the most popular. The deadly use of sub US$1000 quadrotor drones in the battlefields of the Russia-Ukraine war and the recent reported use of these drones to destroy multimillion-dollar nuclear-capable aircrafts illustrate the notoriety of drone technology in the modern era.
The War Room will direct the use of fixed-wing Drones for on-the-ground Wide-Area Mapping. They cover tens of square kilometres per flight, producing detailed orthomosaic maps that reveal excavation trenches and tailings piles.
Further, security agencies associated with the War Room are equipped with Versatile Lightweight quadcopters equipped with standard and multispectral cameras that can hover over hard-to-reach riverbanks and forest edges, streaming live video to enforcement teams. The drone reconnaissance also guides security forces directly to active camps, minimising manpower risks and collateral damage.
Further, the Drones are equipped for Night Thermal Surveillance, enabling day and night operation. These Temperature-sensitive sensors detect active machinery or campfires after dark, exposing operations that typically pause when drones are not overhead.
Expendable Equipment Strategy
Inspired by the low cost of drone use in recent global conflicts, one can expect that these drones will be shot at and may be destroyed. Government and War Room operatives should treat lost or damaged drones as part of the operational budget. The possibility of loss or damage should not deter their bold use and frequent deployment.
4.0 Enforcement and Legal Action
The perception that our courts seem limited in their sentencing of caught illegal miners creates the notion that Evidence-Grade Documentation is lacking to aid convictions.
Done provided High-resolution images and video serve will serve as irrefutable proof in court, strengthening prosecutions and reducing dismissals.
5.0 Engaging Communities and Building Trust
While the War Room with all its images, technology and mission-oriented stakeholders have its merit in the fight against illegal mining or Galamsey, the engagement, employment and support of the local communities around mining sites, be they illegal or legal, is crucial.
Local Capacity Building
Training sessions for assembly members and community leaders equip them with basic drone-piloting and data-analysis skills, creating a grassroots network of “first responders” to the war room.
A sort of Public Reporting Application where Citizens can upload GPS-tagged photos of suspected Galamsey sites would be crucial to the War Room. With real-time natural-language processing and translation, credible tips can be received in any language.
Open-Access Mapping Portal
By publishing via social media, radio and TV a live map of legal concessions, active investigations, and enforcement outcomes, government agencies foster transparency and dissuade would-be offenders.
5.0 The Roadmap
I believe strongly that only the effective, holistic use of technology can halt the viral spread and prevent the resurgence of Galamsey. As a possible roadmap for implementation of the solutions herein, I propose the following Roadmap.
Pilot Phase (perhaps 3 months):
Sign contracts with HR Satellite operators, train image analytics, test analysis on known hotspots, train Trainer-of-Trainer, 4 or more for each active Galamsey endemic area.
Scale-Up (perhaps 6 months):
Set up and operationalise a War Room, set up analytical Tools, training on all technology platforms, satellite-based Communications, procure and train Drone pilots, deploy drone fleets nationwide, and integrate all regional Geological Information System (GIS) data streams.
Full Enforcement (perhaps 9 months):
Set up specialised units in security agencies, perhaps 3 majors, north, middle and south. Formalise rapid-response protocols and rules of engagement, bolster legal frameworks for aerial evidence.
Sustained Operations (Ongoing):
Annual technology effectiveness reviews, Regular community engagement and refresher trainings, crisis simulations independently monitored and reported, etc, etc.
6.0 In Conclusion to this article
By marrying macro-scale satellite surveillance with nimble, low-cost drone reconnaissance and weaving in AI-driven alerts and community engagement, all managed from a war room command and control centre, Ghana can mount a sustained, data-driven offensive against Galamsey.
This multi-layered approach not only enhances detection and enforcement but also builds public trust and fortifies the country’s legal arsenal.
As these tools are adopted and refined, Ghana can emerge as a regional leader in leveraging technology for environmental protection and sustainable resource management.
Contributed by Leslie Mensah TAMAKLOE
Signed
Dr. E.K HAYFORD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CDG-GH )
