The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has stepped up its offensive against illegal mining in the Western North Region, dismantling several illegal mining operations along the Bia River and its tributaries in a renewed effort to protect one of the country’s critical water bodies.
The operation targeted illegal mining hotspots at Krokosue in the Juaboso District and Patakro in the Bodi District, where intelligence-led riverine and mobile patrols uncovered extensive illegal mining activities.
According to NAIMOS, the Taskforce encountered more than 20 active mining pits operating along sections of the river, with illegal miners using numerous chanfang machines and water pumps to wash sand and extract minerals.
As part of the operation, the Taskforce immobilised three excavators by removing critical components to prevent their further use in illegal mining activities.
Security personnel also seized four motorbikes, a water pump and a pump-action firearm found at the illegal mining sites.
In addition, the Taskforce destroyed 14 chanfang machines, two industrial water pumps, three motorbikes and four makeshift structures believed to have been used to support the illegal operations.
The operation further exposed the extensive environmental damage inflicted on the Bia River, with large sections of the water body turning brown and milky as a result of mining activities.
The Taskforce also discovered that illegal miners had diverted portions of the river’s natural course to facilitate their operations, worsening the ecological degradation of the area.
NAIMOS said it will sustain both riverine and ground patrols within the affected communities to disrupt illegal mining activities and prevent operators from returning to the river.
The Secretariat added that it will continue working with relevant state agencies to remove mining equipment from the river corridor and implement measures to halt further destruction of the Bia River and its surrounding ecosystem.
NAIMOS reaffirmed its determination to protect Ghana’s water bodies and restore areas degraded by illegal mining as part of the national fight against galamsey.
