The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining (galamsey), destroying 86 Chanfang machines, 11 water pumps and two makeshift structures during an operation at Ablebo in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

Three persons were also arrested during the operation conducted on August 22, 2026, as part of ongoing reconnaissance and enforcement activities to identify, disrupt and dismantle illegal mining operations across the country.

The operation covered about 35 kilometres of the Ablebo General Area, where the security team conducted a reconnaissance patrol to assess the scale of illegal mining and gather intelligence on activities in the area.

Illegal miners caught by surprise

According to the operation report, the NAIMOS team took the illegal miners by surprise when it entered the area and encountered several sites where mining activities were actively ongoing.

The operatives subsequently moved in to disrupt the activities and dismantle the machinery being used.

In all, 86 Chanfang machines and 11 water pumps were destroyed, while two makeshift structures associated with the mining activities were also dismantled.

Some of the equipment was removed from the sites by personnel of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), while other equipment was set ablaze during the operation.

The three suspects arrested in connection with the activities were transported to the Axim Police Station, where they were handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Ankobra water body at risk

The operation has also highlighted continuing concerns over the impact of illegal mining on the environment, particularly the Ankobra River, which is identified as an affected water body in the area.

Illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, has continued to pose significant environmental challenges in parts of Ghana, with mining activities often involving the use of heavy machinery and watercourses.

The Ablebo operation, according to NAIMOS, was therefore not only aimed at stopping illegal mining activities but also at gathering intelligence to support subsequent enforcement action.

In his report on the operation, the team leader, 2/Lt. B.A. Apedele, said the reconnaissance patrol had successfully disrupted illegal mining activities within the Ablebo General Area and cleared substantial quantities of equipment from the affected sites.

More enforcement expected

The arrest of the three suspects is expected to provide investigators with information that could assist in tracing individuals and networks connected to illegal mining activities in the area.

NAIMOS said the operation underscored the importance of sustained reconnaissance, monitoring and enforcement in mining communities where illegal activities continue to threaten water bodies and the environment.

The Ablebo exercise forms part of broader efforts involving NAIMOS and other state security and enforcement agencies to combat illegal mining, protect Ghana's water resources and support the restoration of degraded mining landscapes.

With the 35-kilometre patrol completed and significant quantities of mining equipment destroyed or removed, the operation has disrupted illegal mining activities in the immediate area while providing enforcement authorities with further intelligence on the scale of the problem.