NAIMOS launches Operation Water Shield against illegal mining in Ghana

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has initiated Operation WATER SHIELD, a comprehensive national enforcement effort in Ghana aimed at safeguarding the nation's major rivers, watersheds, and vital water resources from the impacts of illegal mining. This operation seeks to shift the combat against illegal mining from sporadic raids to a persistent, intelligence-driven approach targeting illicit mining activities throughout entire river systems.

According to a statement released by NAIMOS on Friday, September 11, the operation will concentrate on safeguarding river systems from their source areas to downstream communities and water-treatment facilities. The initial focus will be on several of Ghana's most vulnerable rivers, such as the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, and Offin Rivers, as well as areas within the Black and White Volta system.

Strategic source zones and upper catchments will receive heightened attention due to the potential for severe downstream water quality consequences.

NAIMOS emphasizes that the campaign will be executed in partnership with pertinent security and governmental entities. The operation's objectives encompass shielding strategic river source areas, thwarting illegal miners from accessing riverbanks and waterways, dismantling the supply networks supporting illegal mining, and combating the financial structures sustaining these activities.

Additionally, the campaign will contribute to the restoration of damaged water bodies while ensuring continuous monitoring of areas cleared of illegal miners to deter their return.

NAIMOS aims to significantly weaken and contain illegal mining within protected watersheds, restrict the movement of heavy machinery into critical river systems, and disrupt the funding and supply chains backing illegal mining. They will also enhance water quality and reassert control over affected river basins. Enforcement measures under Operation WATER SHIELD will be stringent, with illegal miners operating on water bodies and riverbanks anticipating disruptions to their operations and potential seizure, immobilization, or other legal action against their equipment in line with relevant laws and procedures.

The operation will extend beyond miners directly operating on riverbanks. NAIMOS has warned that individuals and businesses facilitating illegal mining, including unauthorized fabricators of chanfang machines, and those renting or supplying excavators, pumps, and other equipment for illegal mining, will also be under increased scrutiny. These networks are essential to maintaining the continuity of illegal mining activities, and targeting them is crucial to dismantling the wider system that enables such operations.

As part of the initiative, areas cleared of illegal mining will undergo continuous monitoring to prevent reoccupation and support environmental recovery.