The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has recorded another major breakthrough in its intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, following a successful operation at Hiawa Koofrom in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region.
The intelligence-led raid resulted in the arrest of three Chinese nationals, the seizure of a pump action shotgun with four cartridges, and the confiscation of two excavators used for illegal mining activities along the Ankobrah River.
According to NAIMOS, the taskforce moved in on the site after receiving credible intelligence from an informant who provided the exact GPS coordinates of the illegal operation. The team departed for Hiawa Koofrom around 9:10 a.m., and upon arrival, encountered a group of both Chinese and Ghanaian miners.
However, some of the illegal miners managed to escape into the nearby forest after being tipped off by local Okada riders. The taskforce nonetheless succeeded in apprehending three Chinese suspects, who were found in possession of several mobile phones, a Nissan Navara pickup, and the loaded firearm.
At the site, officers also discovered large mounds of sand and paydirt, indicating extensive environmental damage to the riverbank and surrounding ecosystem.Follow-Up Actions
The arrested suspects were subsequently transported to the NAIMOS Headquarters in Accra for further interrogation and processing. The two excavators have been handed over to the Enchi Regional Coordinating Committee for safekeeping pending legal directives.
During a continued sweep of the area, the team identified another illegal mining site about 300 meters away, where several chanfang machines were discovered and immediately destroyed.
The Director of Operations at NAIMOS commended the officers for their resilience and tactical coordination despite operating under difficult terrain and dealing with vehicle breakdowns during the mission.
He noted that such logistical challenges underscore the urgent need for reliable equipment and mobility support to enable the taskforce to respond quickly to intelligence, particularly in remote and forested regions.
“This operation once again demonstrates NAIMOS’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, regardless of nationality or influence,” he emphasized.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to dismantle illegal mining networks and protect Ghana’s water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands from further destruction.”
The successful Hiawa Koofrom operation adds to a series of decisive enforcement actions by NAIMOS in recent months. The Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to restoring degraded lands and ensuring that those engaged in illegal mining face the full rigour of the law.
Authorities have also urged local communities to provide timely intelligence and avoid shielding offenders, stressing that collective vigilance remains key to safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
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