30 excavators alleged to have been used in illegal mining, or “galamsey,” have been captured by Operation Halt II team members.
On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, phase two of the Operation—originally a joint military-police team—was reinstituted to combat illegal mining in river bodies and forest reserves.
According to a statement from Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi, Director of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, the operation “made some gains within the time ending Monday, October 31, 2022 by seizing 30 excavators, destroying four (4) and immobilizing four (4) others on site.”
The team also “destroyed 103 Changfan machines, nine (9) water pumping machines, five (5) generator sets, two (2) fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures and seized an additional six (6) motorbikes and one (1) motor king tricycle,” according to the statement, in addition to the excavators that were taken.
From the River Pra to the River Birim, the operations’ range was covered.
“The actions were carried out in the Southern Command Area of Operational Responsibility at Kade, Ofoase, Oda, and Pra Anom along the banks of the Rivers Birim and Pra. The actions were carried out along the River Offin at Yawkrom, Agroyesum, and Takorase in the Central Command Area of Operational Responsibility. The turbidity of these Rivers has gradually improved as a result of these effective efforts.
Eight other people who were allegedly illegal miners were detained at Banda Nkwanta in the Northern Command Area.
The Ghanaian Armed Forces pleaded with the populace to assist in the operation to purge the nation of the many destructions brought on by illegal mining.