NAIMOS expands crackdown on illegal miming equipment supply network
The National Anti-illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intercepted 65 brand new Changfang machines on suspicion they are intended for water polluting-galamsey activities in the Nzema East and Aowin municipalities in the Western and Western North regions.
The National Anti-illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its efforts to curb illegal mining activities through the supply of counterfeit mining equipment. Recently, the agency intercepted 65 brand new Changfang machines, suspected to be destined for galamsey activities in Nzema East and Aowin municipalities, located in the Western and Western North regions of Ghana.
Two individuals involved in the transport and intended receipt of these machines were apprehended and transferred to the Enchi Police Station for further scrutiny.
NAIMOS clarified that the seized equipment and vehicles will remain under their custody while investigations are conducted to determine their source, intended destination, and any potential link to illegal mining activities in the targeted areas. The closest legitimate application for Changfang motors is as a fufu pounding machine, but most of these machines are repurposed for illegal gold extraction.
On Monday, NAIMOS seized a truck containing 22 brand-new Changfang machines at Eshaem, situated within the Nzema East Municipality. Two days later, another significant development occurred when a NAIMOS task force intercepted a truck at Akontombra Nkwanta in the Aowin District of the Western North Region. During this operation, 43 Changfang machines, 28 water pumps, 28 large plastic pans, reinforced hoses, heavy-duty hoses, shafts, hammers, Wellington boots, raincoats, blowtorches, and other components used in assembling and operating mining machinery were discovered.
Additionally, two vehicles, including the transport truck and a Toyota Corolla, were seized as part of ongoing investigations.
The Akontombra Nkwanta interception took place just two days after NAIMOS's operation in Eshaem on October 25th, during which 28 Changfang machines, 19 water pumps, and five makeshift structures were destroyed. The recent interception further supports evidence indicating that illegal mining operations are fueled by well-organized supply chains, demonstrating the ability to swiftly replace equipment destroyed during enforcement actions.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
