The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced the arrest of 237 individuals as part of its ongoing nationwide operations against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to the Secretariat, a significant number of those arrested are foreign nationals, pointing to the growing involvement of non-Ghanaians in illegal mining activities.
Speaking at an Editors’ Forum on Wednesday, March 25, the Director of Operations at NAIMOS, Dominic Buah, said the arrests are part of intensified enforcement efforts across the country.
“We have made 237 arrests, the majority of them are foreigners,” he stated.
He revealed that the operations have recorded a success rate of 87.7 percent, which he described as a strong indication of progress in the fight against illegal mining.
Col. Buah also disclosed that the exercise has led to the seizure and destruction of several mining equipment, including 94 excavators and nearly 3,000 chanfang machines used in illegal operations.
“94 excavators have been destroyed so far… almost 3,000 chanfangs have been destroyed,” he disclosed.
He explained that in cases where authorities are unable to transport seized equipment, key components are removed to render them inoperable.
The NAIMOS official noted that these sustained actions are beginning to yield results, with a noticeable reduction in the use of excavators at illegal mining sites.
He added that many of the machines still found at such locations are often immobilised, signalling the impact of the ongoing crackdown.
“At the various galamsey sites, the use of excavators has gone down drastically… those you meet are often immobilised,” he added.
