NAIMOS raids Ankobra, destroys 86 chanfang machines in fresh galamsey crackdown

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has ramped up efforts to combat illegal mining activities threatening the River Ankobra in Ghana's Western Region. Their latest operation focused on the Ablebo General Area of the Ellembelle District, where they apprehended three individuals suspected of illegal mining, who were subsequently handed over to the police in Axim for further probing.

In addition to apprehending miners, NAIMOS also targeted illegal mining infrastructure. They dismantled 86 chanfang machines and water pumps that were being used in the river. The river Ankobra, a vital water body in Ghana, has been plagued by pollution due to illegal mining for years. Since 2022, the pollution levels have escalated, with turbidity readings in the thousands. Notwithstanding multiple raids, illegal miners persist in operating along certain parts of the river.

The intensified NAIMOS operation has already yielded significant results, with the destruction of 86 chanfang machines, 11 water pumps, and two makeshift structures. Collaborating with the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), NAIMOS is also salvaging floating mining equipment to repurpose it as scrap. The operational commanders are convinced that eliminating the equipment will drastically diminish the illegal miners' capacity to continue their illicit activities in the affected regions.

Beyond apprehending miners and dismantling equipment, this operation aims to facilitate the removal of mining infrastructure from sections of the Ankobra River corridor.