NAIMOS Intensifies Operations Against Illegal Mining
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) intensified its efforts to combat illegal mining and address its environmental impact through enforcement operations and engagements with local authorities and traditional leaders in the Eastern and Western Regions on Friday, August 7, 2026.
In the Eastern Region, NAIMOS raided an illegal mining site at Apedwa following concerns raised on social media about the extent of environmental degradation in the area.
The team inspected the affected land and engaged traditional leaders and the Municipal Chief Executive to assess the situation and measures being taken to address the damage.
The engagement revealed that the individual allegedly responsible for the mining activities and the landowners had been arrested and subsequently granted bail.
The Assembly had also taken steps to address the environmental damage, with the miner required to reclaim the degraded land under supervision.
NAIMOS welcomed the action and emphasised the need for the reclamation process to be properly monitored.
In the Western Region, NAIMOS conducted a targeted enforcement operation along the Asankrangwah–Bawdie–Bogoso corridor, covering parts of Wassa Amenfi Central and Wassa Amenfi East.
The operation resulted in the raid of four illegal mining sites and the destruction of some water pumps and changfang machines used in the activities.
The operation followed an earlier enforcement action in the area, but personnel observed that some illegal miners had returned and resumed operations.
NAIMOS identified local support, the use of farmland for mining and access to mining equipment on credit as factors enabling operators to resume activities quickly.
The Secretariat said it would sustain follow-up operations and surveillance in affected areas to prevent the re-establishment of illegal mining sites, disrupt supporting activities and promote the reclamation and restoration of degraded land.
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