The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has seized 10 excavators and destroyed several pumping machines during a crackdown on illegal mining activities along the River Pra in the Adansi South District of the Ashanti Region.
The operation, known as Operation Water Shield, targeted mining sites around Adiemra and Tweapease near New Edubiase, where officials found extensive illegal mining activity, including sections of the river that had been diverted, heavily silted and polluted.
Launched in September, the operation seeks to protect Ghana’s major water bodies from the effects of illegal mining. A NAIMOS team was deployed to the area on Monday to identify and stop illegal mining operations, particularly along the Pra around the Ashanti-Central regional boundary.
At Subriso, the taskforce stopped mining activities affecting wetlands near the road before proceeding to Adiemra and Tweapease.
In Adiemra, officers discovered mining operations close to the Pra, with water from the river being used to process mined materials.
Mining activities were also found around farmlands, prompting concerns from farmers about the impact on their livelihoods.
The team shut down one of the operations and arrested a man who claimed the site belonged to Alhaji Shaibu Iddi. He also maintained that the operation had the required licences.
Officials, however, said the documents presented did not permit mining at the location, explaining that they were linked to processes involving other companies and different sites.
At another location in Adiemra, the team discovered pumping machines installed directly in the River Pra.
A man identified as Evans Badamawu, who said he was the site manager for Alhaji Shaibu Iddi, was also questioned by the taskforce.
The site was among several mining locations identified through aerial surveillance. According to NAIMOS, the activities were taking place within restricted zones around major water bodies.
The situation at Tweapease revealed further evidence of environmental degradation. Sections of the Pra had been severely silted and polluted, while mining activities had changed the natural course of the river.
Mining waste was also observed entering the waterway from several locations. From the air, some portions of the river were difficult to distinguish from the surrounding mining areas because of the extent of the disturbance.
NAIMOS subsequently moved to dismantle the illegal operations. Several pumping machines were destroyed, while 10 excavators retrieved from sites at Adiemra and Tweapease were seized.
Some miners arrested during the operation appeared distressed as the taskforce shut down the sites.
Farmers in the affected communities welcomed the intervention and expressed hope that continued enforcement would help restore the Pra and safeguard their farms.
NAIMOS says Operation Water Shield will continue into its next phase, with further efforts expected to target illegal mining along the Pra and other major water bodies.
The latest exercise forms part of ongoing measures to protect Ghana’s rivers and water resources from the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
