Personnel from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), working together with the Blue Water Guards, have intensified operations against illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River, recording a major disruption of galamsey operations at Dominase in the Western Region.
The operation, conducted on Monday, May 11, formed part of ongoing efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies and clamp down on illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River corridor.
According to officials, the patrol covered areas between Gwira Banso and Dominase, where task force members monitored suspected mining activities and assessed environmental conditions along the river.
At Gwira Banso, the patrol team reportedly observed a noticeable reduction in illegal mining activities compared to previous operations, a development authorities attributed to sustained security presence and continuous enforcement exercises in the area.
However, the situation at Dominase raised fresh concerns after the task force detected suspicious movements along sections of the riverbank believed to be linked to renewed galamsey activities.
Officials said that upon sighting the approaching patrol team, about 20 suspected illegal miners fled into nearby bushes and parts of the river area to avoid arrest.
A subsequent search of the site revealed that the suspects were allegedly attempting to reinstall six Changfan machines on an abandoned floating platform believed to have been prepared for renewed nighttime mining operations.
The task force also discovered improvised washing structures under reconstruction, indicating efforts to resume illegal mining activities despite previous crackdowns in the area.
In line with enforcement protocols, NAIMOS operatives disabled and destroyed all six changfan machines, including submerged equipment found within the river. The floating platform used for the operations was also rendered unusable to prevent future reuse.
Although no arrests were made during the operation, officials say the exercise significantly disrupted attempts by illegal miners to reactivate activities along the river.
NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards have meanwhile reaffirmed their commitment to sustained patrols and intensified monitoring operations along the Ankobra River and other affected water bodies across the country.
