GalamseyUpdate
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force on Tuesday, 14th October 2025, continued its offensive against illegal miners in the Eastern Region. The operation, led to the destruction of mining equipment, makeshift structures, and other items belonging to illegal miners. These actions form key part of NAIMOS’ ongoing strategy to protect Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands from destruction caused by illegal mining (galamsey).
Patrols and Arrests at Old Abirem
The task force first stormed an illegal mining site at Old Abirem, where several mining activities were ongoing. Three locals were seen at the site and subjected to further investigation which led the task force to another active site a few kilometers away. Upon arrival, the team found four excavators with clear evidence of recent operation, as well as significant environmental degradation to nearby vegetation and water bodies.
Equipment and Belongings Destroyed
During the raid, the task force destroyed several items belonging to the illegal miners, including:
- Makeshift structures
- 2 heavy-duty water pumping machines
- Empty Fuel drums
Two of the excavators had their control boards removed, while the other two were found without control boards and monitors. The destruction was carried out to prevent reactivation of the machines.
Further Operations at Kyenkyenku
The team proceeded to Kyenkyenku in the Birim North District, where illegal miners were sighted working just a few meters from a third-class road. Upon noticing the patrol, the miners fled, abandoning an excavator and two containers of diesel fuel. Due to the unavailability of a low-bed truck to convey the excavator to a secure location, the task force immobilized the machine by removing its control board to prevent further use.
Intelligence on Chinese Nationals at Oboho
In a related development, NAIMOS received intelligence regarding Chinese nationals allegedly operating an illegal mining site within a forest reserve in Oboho, Ayensuano District. Upon arrival, no miners were found in the forest, but four excavators were discovered parked in nearby villages close to the reserve.
Cocoa Plantation Site Raid in Birim North
As part of the offensive, the NAIMOS patrol team, moving along the Kade–Otumi–Kwae–Maamaso–Old Abirem–New Abirem–Adadekrom–Akoase corridor, uncovered some illegal mining sites within a cocoa plantation at Old Abirem. Although mining activity had halted due to a “breaking day,” two young locals were found hiding in a makeshift structure. They disclosed that the site belonged to Chinese operators who had withdrawn their excavators earlier upon hearing of the task force’s presence. The makeshift structure was subsequently set ablaze.
The task force also immobilized a SANY excavator and seized a drum of diesel fuel at Kyenkyenku, before continuing its operations towards Anum Apapam.
NAIMOS emphasized that the offensive will continue across all identified illegal mining zones, especially within forest reserves and waterway areas, where mining has become rampant.
Call for Strict Punishment and Stakeholder Support
The Secretariat reiterated that illegal mining activities along roads, rivers, and forest areas in the Eastern Region remain a serious environmental threat. NAIMOS called for stricter enforcement of mining laws and severe punishment for offenders to deter future violations. The Secretariat further appealed for collaboration from traditional authorities, local communities, and security agencies to sustain the fight against illegal mining.