The Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Col. Dominic Buah, has vowed zero tolerance for illegal miners as it intensifies operations across the country.

Speaking at President John Mahama’s meeting with civil society organisations on the galamsey crisis on Friday, October 3, Col. Buah told the president that illegal miners and their associates would face decisive action.

He said, “Mr. President, with your permission, I would like to send this warning to illegal miners, their assigns, and financiers. They are the first or prime enemies of the state, and they will be dealt with as such. There will be no room for them to escape or to hide. NAIMOS will smoke them out very soon; there is no resting place for them,” Col. Buah said.

He explained the government’s commitment to environmental restoration, noting that troops have already been deployed to sensitive areas.

Col. Buah added, “They should get ready and be assured that very soon our waters will turn blue and our forests will turn green. We have already trained over 400 troops who are the first batch deployed or are under deployment to sensitive areas. We will continue to deploy more so that we will all go to bed knowing that NAIMOS is firmly on the ground and illegal mining will be a thing of the past.”

He warned illegal miners, galamseyers, and their financiers, saying, “All illegal miners, galamseyers, and financiers, beware. NAIMOS is closer to your bases, and there will be no hiding place for you.”