A NAIMOS Task Force observed and halted reckless illegal mining activities along the main road near Akyem Techiman in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region.

This took place during a routine anti-galamsey patrol in the early hours of Monday, February 2, 2026.

The illegal miners and other inhabitants at the site fled immediately upon the task force's arrival to avoid arrest.

The miners abandoned their water-pumping machines and two excavators, which were in use at the time. Shockingly, the distance between the first excavation pit and the main road was only about 7 to 10 meters.

The Task Force immediately seized the abandoned equipment, and NAIMOS excavator operators have since begun urgently refilling the pit dug approximately 7 meters from the road.

This immediate corrective action is intended to mitigate the hazard and prevent further environmental damage, pending a proper long-term reclamation effort.

NAIMOS cautions all illegal miners against such reckless activities, which degrade the environment and pose serious public health risks.

The NAIMOS team will deal decisively with any perpetrators in accordance with its enforcement guidelines.

The NAIMOS Secretariat also urges all local administrative, intelligence, and security authorities to strengthen their monitoring and enforcement efforts to prevent such blatantly unlawful activities within their communities.