The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has stepped up its fight against illegal mining in the Ashanti Region, dismantling multiple galamsey sites and confiscating heavy equipment over the weekend.
Operations carried out on February 14 and 15 targeted illegal mining activities in Edwinase in the Bekwai Municipality and Wromanso in the Amansie Central District along the River Offin.
On Saturday, February 14, the taskforce raided two illegal mining sites in Edwinase. At the first site, miners fled upon spotting the approaching NAIMOS team. The taskforce destroyed washing plants, a motorcycle, and a tricycle, and burnt makeshift structures along with an industrial pumping machine. One Sany excavator was rendered inoperable by removing its monitor and essential parts. A pump-action gun with 14 BB cartridges was also seized.
At a second site in the area, additional pumping machines, two pump-action guns, and two Lingong excavators were confiscated and transported to the NAIMOS equipment lodgement in Kumasi. Makeshift structures and mining equipment were also destroyed.
Sunday, February 15, saw the taskforce continue operations along the Offin River at Wromanso in the Amansie Central District. The area had suffered extensive farmland destruction, river pollution, and degradation of forest reserves. Abandoned deep pits posed hazards to residents. Miners again fled as the team approached, and several small and industrial pumping machines, changfang machines, two Sany excavators, one wheel loader, and one XCMG excavator were seized.
The taskforce concluded its operations at about 9:00 p.m., reporting that many illegal mining sites had been abandoned due to its sustained presence. NAIMOS indicated that it plans to deepen operations in the Ashanti Region and is seeking enhanced logistics support, including lowbeds, speed boats, and life jackets, to strengthen the fight against illegal mining.
