The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has seized 50 chanfang machines and other illegal mining equipment along the Ankobra River in the Western Region.
In a joint operation with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards on Friday, August 22, 2025 the team swept through the Abelebo and Akango communities in the Nzema East Municipality.
The raid was necessitated by the alarming rate of devastation being caused to the Ankobra River and the adjoining communities.
Acting on credible intelligence from local informants and the Blue Water Guards, the illegal miners, who were observed in large numbers via drone footage, fled upon seeing the team.
Several pieces of equipment and items used by the miners, including fifty (50) chanfang machines, polytanks, generators, and pipelines, were seized and destroyed at the sites.
The task force also burned several makeshift structures erected along the course of the River Ankobra that were used as shelters by the illegal miners.
Additional items, including refrigerators, a motorbike, PVC pipes, and excavator parts that had been left behind, were also seized by the task force.
Confirming the operation, the Administrator for NAIMOS, Joyce Asiedu said Secretariat remains poised to continue its collaboration with the Blue Water Guards in the fight against illegal mining.
