The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, across parts of the Ashanti Region, conducting a series of coordinated raids over the Valentine’s Day weekend.
On Friday, Feb. 14, a NAIMOS task force stormed two illegal mining sites at Edwinase in the Bekwai Municipality. According to officials, several miners fled the scene upon sighting the approaching task force vehicles.
At the first site, the team destroyed washing plants, a motorcycle and a tricycle. Several makeshift structures and an industrial pumping machine were also set ablaze.
A Sany excavator was immobilized after officers removed its monitor and other critical components. Security personnel additionally seized one pump-action gun loaded with 14 BB cartridges.
The task force later raided a second site in the area, where additional makeshift structures and mining equipment were destroyed.
Officers confiscated two pump-action guns, three pumping machines and a radiator. Two Lingong excavators were also seized and transported to the NAIMOS equipment lodgment in Kumasi for safekeeping.
The Valentine’s Day operation concluded at about 10:45 p.m., with the task force reporting the seizure of three excavators, one excavator monitor, three pump-action guns, three pumping machines, one radiator and 14 BB cartridges.
Operations Continue Along River Offin
The following day, Sunday, Feb. 15, the task force extended its operations to illegal mining sites along the River Offin.
At approximately 6:40 a.m., officers raided sites at Wromanso in the Amansie Central District, where extensive destruction of farmlands and severe pollution of the Offin River were observed. Large portions of forest reserves had also been degraded, with deep pits and abandoned trenches posing significant safety risks.
As in the previous raids, several miners fled upon the task force’s arrival. Officers destroyed various mining equipment, including small and industrial pumping machines, and burned several “changfang” machines operating on the Offin River.
The task force seized two Sany excavators, one XCMG excavator and a wheel loader. The equipment has since been transported to the NAIMOS lodgment facility in Kumasi.
Sunday’s operations ended around 9 p.m., with officials reporting the seizure of three excavators and one wheel loader.
Abandoned Sites Signal Impact
Officials expressed satisfaction that many illegal mining sites in the affected areas had been abandoned following the deployment of the task force.
The NAIMOS Secretariat said it plans to deepen its operations across the Ashanti Region. However, it emphasized the need for enhanced logistical support, including additional lowbed trucks, speedboats and life jackets, to sustain and expand the crackdown.
Illegal mining has long been a major environmental concern in the Ashanti Region, contributing to deforestation, land degradation and the pollution of key water bodies such as the Offin River. Authorities say the ongoing operations form part of broader efforts to curb the menace and restore affected ecosystems.
