The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) intensified its campaign against galamsey operators in the Ashanti Region over the Valentine’s weekend, targeting sites that have contributed to deforestation, pollution of water bodies, and destruction of farmlands.

The operations are part of the Secretariat’s ongoing effort to safeguard natural resources and ensure environmental protection.

On February 14, the NAIMOS task force conducted raids on two illegal mining sites at Edwinase in the Bekwai Municipality.

“At the first site, several illegal miners fled upon seeing our approach,” a NAIMOS spokesperson said. The team destroyed washing plants, a motorcycle, a tricycle, and several makeshift structures, and immobilised a Sany excavator by removing its monitor and other key components.

One pump-action gun with 14 BB cartridges was also seized.

The second site at Edwinase was similarly dismantled, with the task force burning mining equipment and makeshift structures.

Officials seized two Lingong excavators, three pumping machines, two pump-action guns, and a radiator, which were transported to NAIMOS’s equipment lodgment in Kumasi for safekeeping.

“Our operations are meant to disrupt the illegal mining value chain and send a strong deterrent message,” the spokesperson added.

The crackdown continued the next day along the River Offin at Wromanso in the Amansie Central District.

NAIMOS reported massive destruction of farmland and severe river pollution. Several miners fled the scene, while the task force destroyed small and industrial pumping machines, including several Changfang machines.

They also seized two Sany excavators, one wheel loader, and an XCMG excavator. “We observed that many sites had been abandoned as a result of our sustained presence, which is encouraging,” the spokesperson noted.

By the end of the weekend, the NAIMOS team had seized a total of six excavators, four pumping machines, one wheel loader, three pump action guns, and additional equipment, while dismantling multiple galamsey sites.

The Secretariat has indicated plans to deepen operations in the Ashanti Region, enhancing logistics capabilities, including lowbeds, speedboats, and life jackets, to further strengthen anti-illegal mining efforts.