The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) is demanding immediate regulatory action from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to cut off fuel supply to illegal mining operations across the country.

In a petition addressed to the Chief Executive of the Authority, Edudzi Tamakloe Esq., on Saturday, April 18, the Coalition Against Galamsey outlined a series of measures it wants implemented to disrupt what it describes as the “lifeblood” of illegal mining.

Top among the demands is a call for the NPA to conduct data-driven audits to track fuel sales and identify filling stations in mining hotspots with unusually high volumes compared to the number of registered vehicles in those areas. The group insists such audit reports should be made public.

The coalition is also urging the Authority to revoke the licences of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) found to be supplying fuel to illegal miners, as well as impose a permanent ban on directors of offending firms from operating within the downstream petroleum sector. It further wants such individuals reported to the Attorney-General for prosecution.

“We demand that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) exercises its regulatory power to cut off the “lifeblood” of illegal mining operations by implementing the following immediate actions: Conduct Data-Driven Audits to Identify Anomalies: We demand the NPA use its data systems to track fuel sales and identify stations in mining hotspots with anomalously high volumes relative to registered vehicles in the area. These reports should be published.

“Revoke Licenses of Non-Compliant OMCs found to be facilitating illegal mining through the sale of massive fuel consignments to illegal miners. Ban and Prosecute Complicit Directors: We demand that the NPA permanently ban directors of offending OMCs from participating in the downstream petroleum industry and report them to the AG for prosecution,” the group demanded in the petition.

Additionally, the group is calling for the strict enforcement of “Know Your Customer” (KYC) protocols, requiring OMCs to verify the legitimacy of buyers, particularly those purchasing large quantities of diesel in bulk containers.

The petition also demands stronger collaboration between the NPA and security agencies to intercept fuel shipments suspected of heading to galamsey sites.

Furthermore, the coalition is pushing for stricter enforcement under Ghana’s environmental laws to ensure individuals and companies facilitating illegal mining activities through fuel supply are prosecuted.

The group maintains that cutting off fuel supply remains one of the most effective ways to halt illegal mining, stressing that decisive action is needed to protect the country’s environment.