Fifteen excavators being held as exhibits in an ongoing illegal mining case were removed from the premises of the Enchi District Assembly on Friday, July 10, by armed military personnel in an operation that has raised questions over the enforcement of court orders linked to anti-illegal mining efforts.
The excavators formed part of 35 machines seized during an anti-illegal mining operation in May 2025, when security agencies cracked down on unauthorised mining activities in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
According to sources, armed soldiers arrived at the Assembly premises in broad daylight with 15 low-bed haulage trucks, secured the area and instructed officials to release the excavators for transportation.
Witnesses said the military personnel indicated they were acting on “orders from above” before loading the excavators onto the trucks and leaving the premises.
The operation reportedly took place despite ongoing legal proceedings over the ownership and custody of the equipment. The excavators had been retained as exhibits in investigations into illegal mining activities alleged to have caused extensive environmental damage within the protected Tano Anwia Forest Reserve.
Sources familiar with the matter said significant portions of the forest reserve affected by illegal mining have yet to be rehabilitated.
The dispute over the excavators is currently before the Sefwi Wiawso High Court, where concessionaire Clean Jobs has initiated legal action concerning the equipment and mining activities within its concession.
As part of the proceedings, the High Court granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the release, transfer or disposal of the excavators pending the final determination of the case, with the aim of preserving the status quo.
Despite the court order, 15 of the impounded excavators were reportedly removed from the Assembly compound by the military on Friday.
It remains unclear under what legal authority the operation was carried out or whether the High Court had varied or set aside its earlier injunction.
Officials at the Enchi District Assembly were reportedly instructed to allow the excavators to be taken away. At the time of filing this report, no official explanation had been provided regarding the basis for the operation.
