The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards have boosted operations against illegal mining along the Ankobra River, destroying several machines and disrupting activity in the Western Region.
The Nzema East district’s illegal mining hotspots, which span the river from Gwira Banso to Tumentu, were targeted.
The operation is a part of continuous attempts to stop illegal mining, often known as galamsey, which still poses a hazard to nearby people and water bodies.
About 20 people were found actively engaged in illegal mining along the riverbed at Gwira Banso by the team.
The operatives were forced to stop their actions when the team swiftly moved to intercept the group.
About 20 operational changfan machines and a number of hidden water pumping hoses that draw and release water straight into the river were found during a survey of the region.
The hoses were seized and torched to prevent reuse, and the equipment was disassembled and destroyed on-site.
Five modified boats were positioned in a mining pit at another illegal mining facility that the team discovered further downstream at Eshiem.
An estimated ten changfan machines were installed on the boats. When they saw the incoming crew, the operators ran away, leaving the equipment behind.
The experiment, according to NAIMOS, shows the organization’s ongoing commitment to working with partner organisations to stop illegal mining and safeguard the nation’s water supplies.
It is commendable that NAIMOS is determined to stop illegal mining, which has severely damaged the environment, especially the nation’s waterbodies, by heavily contaminating them with hazardous heavy metals, discolouring them, and spreading disease, despite severe provocation and danger.
Galamsey poses an existential threat to sustainability and the welfare of our fellow citizens who rely on these bodies of water for their livelihood.
Source: newsthemegh.com