The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has conducted enforcement exercises in the Western and Eastern Regions of Ghana, arresting 11 suspected illegal miners. The operations, which took place on October 29, targeted mining sites in forest reserves and around water bodies. The goal of these efforts is to clamp down on illegal mining activities. NAIMOS personnel carried out the operations in various locations, including the Cape Three Points Forest in the Ahanta West Municipality.
In the Ahanta West Municipality, NAIMOS personnel arrested four suspected illegal miners at the Cape Three Points Forest. The team discovered mining activities at several locations within the forest and destroyed four chanfang machines and seven water pumps. At another site, two excavators were found, although their monitors had been removed. The task force destroyed additional equipment, including three chanfang machines, four water pumps, and four makeshift structures.
NAIMOS also conducted an operation at Abrokyire-Krobo in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality. The exercise led to the destruction of five chanfang machines, five water pumps, seven generator plants, and two makeshift structures. An additional chanfang machine and a water pump were recovered. The team detected indications that mining activities had resumed in some areas, raising concerns about the possible return of operators to sites previously cleared by enforcement teams.
In the Eastern Region, NAIMOS personnel arrested seven suspected illegal miners during an operation in the Apapam-Asikem area of the Abuakwa South Municipality. The operation focused on illegal mining activities along the Birim River and its tributaries, as well as locations bordering the Atiwa Forest Reserve. The team destroyed two chanfang machines, three water pumps, and three makeshift structures during the exercise.
According to NAIMOS, the coordinated operations form part of a broader strategy to intensify efforts against illegal mining across river systems, forest reserves, farms, and other identified hotspots. The Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities, preventing the return of miners to cleared locations, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas.
NAIMOS warned that illegal mining would not be tolerated in forest reserves, remote communities, or along river systems. The Secretariat noted that previously cleared sites would remain under surveillance, with enforcement teams prepared to return whenever mining activities resume. This approach aims to prevent illegal miners from reoccupying such locations.
The operations demonstrate NAIMOS' continued efforts to combat illegal mining in Ghana. The Secretariat's commitment to protecting environmentally sensitive areas and disrupting illegal mining activities remains unwavering. With ongoing surveillance and intelligence-led operations, NAIMOS aims to prevent the resurgence of illegal mining activities in areas previously cleared by enforcement teams.
Key points
- 11 suspected illegal miners were arrested during separate operations in Ghana's Western and Eastern Regions.
- The operations resulted in the destruction of mining equipment and makeshift structures used by the suspected miners.
- NAIMOS will continue to conduct surveillance on previously cleared sites to prevent the return of illegal miners.
