Galamsey: NAIMOS raids Ankobra, destroys 86 Chanfang machines

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has ramped up efforts to combat illegal mining activities endangering the River Ankobra in Ghana's Western Region. The latest crackdown focused on illegal mining sites within the Ablebo General Area of the Ellembelle District. Three individuals suspected of illegal mining were apprehended and handed over to the Axim Police for further investigation.

NAIMOS also dismantled multiple chanfang machines and water pumps operating on the river, with a total of 86 chanfang machines destroyed so far. Additionally, the secretariat removed 11 water pumps and two makeshift structures. Backed by the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), NAIMOS is also procuring floating mining equipment for repurposing as scrap.

Operation commanders believe that destroying this equipment will substantially diminish illegal miners' ability to perpetrate their activities in the affected regions. The operation aims to eliminate mining infrastructure from sections of the Ankobra River corridor, ultimately facilitating the removal of such installations.