The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced a major crackdown on the financiers, facilitators and equipment suppliers supporting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana.
The new enforcement strategy was announced as NAIMOS launched Operation WATER SHIELD, a nationwide campaign aimed at protecting Ghana’s rivers, watersheds and other critical water resources from the devastating effects of illegal mining.
NAIMOS Targets Galamsey Networks
Unlike previous illegal mining operations in Ghana, which have largely focused on miners and mining sites, NAIMOS says Operation WATER SHIELD will target the broader networks that provide the financial and logistical support needed for galamsey activities to continue.
According to the Secretariat, the campaign will focus on the criminal and financial structures behind illegal mining, in addition to miners operating along riverbanks and within protected water bodies.
Facilitators and suppliers of equipment used in illegal mining will also come under increased scrutiny.
These include unauthorised manufacturers of chanfang machines, as well as individuals and companies that rent or supply excavators, water pumps, dredging equipment and other machinery to illegal miners.
Illegal Mining Equipment to Face Enforcement
NAIMOS has warned that enforcement under Operation WATER SHIELD will be firm and sustained, while remaining within the laws of Ghana.
Illegal mining activities taking place on riverbanks and water bodies are expected to face disruption, while equipment seized during operations will be immobilised or handled in accordance with applicable laws and established procedures.
Key equipment expected to come under the spotlight includes excavators, chanfang machines, water pumps, dredging equipment and other machinery used in illegal mining.
The move forms part of efforts to prevent heavy-duty equipment from reaching Ghana’s most vulnerable river systems.
Major Rivers Targeted in Operation WATER SHIELD
NAIMOS said Operation WATER SHIELD will focus on some of Ghana’s most threatened rivers and water systems.
The priority areas include the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin Rivers, as well as affected sections of the Black Volta and White Volta river systems.
Strategic source areas and upper catchments will also receive special attention because degradation in these locations can have serious consequences for water quality in downstream communities.
The campaign is expected to cover river systems from their source areas through downstream communities and water-treatment facilities.
Intelligence-Led Galamsey Crackdown
NAIMOS described Operation WATER SHIELD as a shift away from isolated enforcement exercises towards a sustained, intelligence-led campaign against illegal mining in Ghana.
The Secretariat said the approach will focus on priority river systems while simultaneously disrupting the financial, logistical and equipment-supply networks that enable galamsey operations.
The operation will be conducted in collaboration with relevant security agencies and state institutions.
These agencies will work to prevent illegal miners from accessing riverbanks and waterways, disrupt their logistics and financing networks, and support efforts to restore water bodies damaged by illegal mining.
Government Intensifies Fight Against Galamsey
The launch of Operation WATER SHIELD underscores renewed efforts to combat galamsey in Ghana, which has been blamed for severe environmental degradation and pollution of several major rivers and water sources.
NAIMOS said its ultimate goal is to substantially reduce and contain illegal mining within protected watersheds.
The Secretariat also aims to restrict the movement of heavy mining equipment into critical river systems while disrupting the supply chains and financial networks supporting illegal mining activities.
The intensified enforcement is expected to place greater pressure not only on illegal miners but also on the financiers, equipment suppliers and facilitators behind galamsey operations.
Source: newsthemegh.com