The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Taskforce has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the Ashanti Region, dismantling several sites and seizing heavy machinery and weapons over the weekend.
The operations, conducted on February 14 and 15, focused on illegal mining areas at Edwinase in the Bekwai Municipality and Wromanso in the Amansie Central District along the River Offin.
On Saturday, February 14, the taskforce raided two illegal mining sites at Edwinase. At the first site, several miners fled upon spotting the taskforce vehicles. The team subsequently destroyed washing plants, a motorcycle, a tricycle, and makeshift structures. An industrial pumping machine was also set ablaze.
A Sany excavator was immobilized by removing its monitor and other essential parts, while a pump-action gun loaded with 14 BB cartridges was confiscated.
At the second site in the same area, the taskforce burnt down additional makeshift structures and seized more mining equipment, including two pump-action guns, three pumping machines, and a radiator. Two Lingong excavators were also impounded and transported to the NAIMOS equipment yard in Kumasi for safekeeping.
In total, Saturday’s operation led to the seizure of three excavators, three pump-action guns, three pumping machines, a radiator, a monitor, and 14 BB cartridges.
The following day, Sunday, February 15, the taskforce continued its operation along the River Offin, raiding additional illegal mining sites at Wromanso in the Amansie Central District.
