By Felix Cofie
The National Anti Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its fight against illegal mining, launching a major dawn operation across parts of the Ashanti Region.
The coordinated raids targeted illegal mining hotspots within the Asante Akyem South Municipality and the Bosome Freho District following urgent alerts from the Minerals Commission over escalating environmental destruction.
Achiase: Rivers Polluted, Equipment Seized
Between 6:45am and 8:20am, NAIMOS operatives struck two illegal mining sites at Achiase in the Asante Akyem South Municipality.
At the first location, operatives found extensive land degradation and severe pollution of the Enuru River. Four excavators that had been partially disabled by illegal miners were further immobilized by the taskforce, which removed key components including pumps (starters), monitors and a control board to prevent reuse.
At a second nearby site, miners fled into surrounding bushes upon sighting the taskforce. Two faulty excavators were found abandoned. Officers seized two monitors and discovered a single-barrel gun in a makeshift structure, which was subsequently destroyed. Temporary shelters at the site were also burnt.
Anumso: Mining in River, Equipment Burnt
Around 8:30am, the team moved to Anumso in the Bosome Freho District, where several miners — including women — were seen actively mining in the Anumso River.
The miners fled on the taskforce’s arrival. NAIMOS dismantled operations at the site, burning eight small pumping machines, seven industrial pumping machines and other mining equipment. Two excavators were further immobilized after operatives removed their fuel pumps and monitors.
Yepesa: Amentu River Heavily Polluted
Between 11:00am and 1:00pm, the taskforce raided another illegal mining site at Yepesa in the Bosome Freho District, where activities had severely polluted the Amentu River.
Two industrial pumping machines were burnt, and an excavator was disabled after its control board and fuse were removed.
Adakabunsu: Forest Reserve Targeted
Later at about 2:30pm, NAIMOS stormed an illegal mining site at Adakabunsu in the Bosome area. The operation revealed extensive destruction within the Bosomtwe Forest Reserve and pollution of a nearby river system.
An excavator at the site was immobilized by removing its starter pump. The taskforce successfully transported another excavator using a rented lowbed truck to the NAIMOS equipment base in Kumasi.
The day-long operation concluded around 10:00pm.
Growing Environmental Concerns
The latest offensive underscores growing concerns over the environmental cost of illegal mining — commonly known as galamsey — including polluted rivers, degraded farmlands and forest destruction.
Authorities say operations will continue as part of efforts to protect water bodies, restore degraded lands and enforce Ghana’s mining laws.
