The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Special Task Force, deployed to the Abuakwa South District of the Eastern Region, has intervened in a violent confrontation involving suspected illegal miners operating in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.
The clash reportedly involved machetes and left one person seriously injured. The timely intervention of the NAIMOS Task Force prevented the confrontation from escalating further.
The injured person was taken to the Asiakwa Police Station and subsequently referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Following the incident, the Task Force conducted a reconnaissance patrol within the Atiwa Forest Reserve to assess the extent of illegal mining activities and the environmental damage caused.
The patrol uncovered extensive illegal mining activities along river systems within the forest reserve, with significant degradation observed at several locations.
The terrain was steep, rugged and difficult for conventional vehicles to access, with movement in many areas largely limited to foot, motorbikes and tricycles.
Although no arrests were made during the reconnaissance exercise, the Task Force destroyed 15 makeshift structures and 11 water-pumping machines believed to have been used to support illegal mining operations.
Information gathered from local sources also suggested that a significant number of illegal miners may be operating within the forest reserve, underscoring the scale and persistence of illegal mining in the area.
NAIMOS has commenced further investigations into both the illegal mining activities and the circumstances surrounding the violent confrontation.
The Secretariat said it would continue to intensify operations within the Atiwa Forest Reserve and surrounding areas to disrupt illegal mining, protect water bodies and prevent further environmental degradation.
