NAIMOS seizes 12 excavators, arrests 3 in fresh operations
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has raided multiple hidden structures that serve as shelter for illegal miners in the Eastern Region.
In the special operations, which were carried out at various locations between October 13 and 16, the team arrested three more illegal miners and confiscated many equipment used for environmental destruction, including12 excavators.
The intelligence-led clampdown of illegal mining activities was carried out in the Old Abirem, Oda Akwatia, Kyenkyeku, Oboho, Oda Nkwanta, and other areas in the Eastern Region.
NAIMOS also confiscated five motorbikes, five computer monitors, two heavy-duty water pumps, and destroyed numerous drums of fuel used by the illegal miners for their operations.
NAIMOS operations
In the second series of the weekly updates on NAIMOS activities, the Director of Communications at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Mawusi Ama Mawuenyefia, stressed that the government would go all out to clamp down on galamsey.
She said the team had increased its surveillance activities on rivers in the Western Region.
Providing details of the operations, she said the team acted on credible intelligence and stormed Oda Nkwanta in the Birim Central Municipality, and the Akanteng-Asamankese area, where the members uncovered active illegal mining sites.
She explained that the illegal miners were found destroying cocoa farms and contaminating tributaries of the River Birim.
“The miners fled upon the task force’s arrival, abandoning three excavators, five motorbikes, and several other items, including excavator batteries and computer monitors.
One excavator was found hidden in dense vegetation, signalling the sophistication of these clandestine operations,” she added.
Ms Mawuenyefia said the NAIMOS operation continued the next day (October 14) at Old Abirem, Kyenkyenku, and Oboho Forest Reserve, where the military disabled and destroyed excavators, heavy-duty water pumps and fuel drums.
She added that at Old Abirem, three locals were found at illegal mining sites and taken for questioning, a move that led the team to another site just a few kilometres away.
Furthermore, she said when the team got to Kyenkyenku, illegal miners were found working close to a public road.
“At the Oboho Forest Reserve in the Ayensuano District, the team found four excavators parked in surrounding villages, raising concerns of external backing for the illicit trade,” she added.
Blue Water Guards
Relatedly, the Blue Water Guards also undertook special operations in the Western Region, leading to the seizure and burning of 24 water pumping machines at Wassa Agona and Bayerigya, as well as the destruction of 20 chanfang machines in the Bogoso and Tarkwa Nsuaem areas.
She stated that the water guards carried out fresh operations at Wassa Agona, Bogoso, Bayerigya, and Mpohor to stop the destruction of water bodies and farmlands.
For instance, she said on October 14, the Mpohor Blue Water Guards undertook a high-intensity operation at Mile 9, within the Mpohor Fiase District, destroying machines used for mining activities.
Ms Mawuenyefia added that on Wednesday, October 15, the Blue Water Guards under the Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency raided Wassa Agona, a community near the River Bonsa, where illegal miners were polluting the river and degrading surrounding farmlands.
“In total, 22 pumping machines were seized and destroyed, alongside 18 chanfang gold extraction units, which were set ablaze on site,” she said.
She said the operations to rid the country’s rivers of illegal mining activities extended into Thursday, October 16, when the Bogoso River Guards mounted a dawn operation at Ehyireso within the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality, along the Mansi River.
The Communications Director explained that during the operations, one chanfang machine was destroyed and burnt while other equipment found at the site were seized.
