The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its fight against illegal mining, announcing plans to target equipment manufacturers, suppliers, transporters and businesses suspected of supporting galamsey activities in Ghana.
The expanded crackdown follows an operation at Eshaem in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, where the task force seized a truck carrying 22 brand-new chanfang machines and secured a nearby store containing equipment and spare parts suspected to be linked to illegal mining.
The operation, conducted along the Eshaem road towards the Ankobra River, also resulted in the destruction of 28 chanfang machines, 19 water pumps and five makeshift structures allegedly used for illegal mining.
NAIMOS Targets Galamsey Equipment Suppliers
During the operation, NAIMOS personnel identified several suspected illegal mining sites near the Ankobra River. Investigators observed signs of recent excavator activity at one location, while three excavators were found at another site.
A monitor was recovered from one excavator, while critical components had been removed from the others.
The task force later intercepted a Hyundai truck unloading 22 new chanfang machines into a store. Both the truck and the machines were seized, while an adjoining warehouse containing suspected mining equipment and spare parts was secured for further investigations.
NAIMOS said the investigation would establish the ownership, source and intended destination of the seized items.
Operation WATER SHIELD Intensifies Fight Against Galamsey
The Eshaem operation forms part of Operation WATER SHIELD, an initiative aimed at protecting the Ankobra River from pollution and environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
NAIMOS explained that destroying machinery at mining sites alone was insufficient because illegal miners could replace the equipment and resume operations.
The Secretariat is therefore expanding enforcement to include manufacturers, chanfang fabricators, assemblers, dealers, suppliers, transporters, warehouse operators and individuals suspected of knowingly renting out machinery for illegal mining.
The strategy will also involve increased intelligence-gathering to identify where mining equipment is manufactured, assembled, stored and distributed.
Businesses Supporting Illegal Mining Face Investigation
NAIMOS has warned that businesses and individuals suspected of knowingly supplying, transporting, storing, manufacturing or renting equipment for illegal mining could face enforcement action, even if they do not operate directly at mining sites.
The Secretariat will collaborate with relevant security and regulatory agencies to investigate seized equipment and take appropriate action where links to illegal mining are established.
The expanded anti-galamsey campaign seeks to disrupt the supply chains sustaining illegal mining, protect the Ankobra River, prevent water pollution and reduce the destruction of farmlands and environmentally sensitive areas.
NAIMOS says operations will continue along the river corridor as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle the networks providing machinery, fuel and logistical support to illegal miners.
Source: newsthemegh.com