The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining along the River Ankobra in the Western Region, destroying 86 chanfang machines and arresting three suspected illegal miners.
The latest operation targeted illegal mining sites within the Ablebo General Area of the Ellembelle District.
The three suspects were arrested during the operation and handed over to the Police in Axim for further investigation.
In addition to the arrests, NAIMOS personnel destroyed 86 chanfang machines, 11 water pumps and two makeshift structures found at illegal mining sites along the river.
The River Ankobra has suffered years of pollution from illegal mining, with the situation worsening in recent years as miners continue to operate along sections of the waterway.
NAIMOS said the intensified operations are aimed at dismantling illegal mining sites and removing equipment being used to degrade the river.
With support from the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), the Secretariat is also removing floating mining equipment from the river for use as scrap.
Operational commanders believe the destruction of the equipment will significantly reduce the capacity of illegal miners to continue their activities in the affected areas.
The operation is also expected to facilitate the removal of mining infrastructure from sections of the Ankobra River corridor as authorities step up efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies from further degradation.
