NAIMOS seizes 65 Changfang machines in Nzema East and Aowin

The National Anti-illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intercepted 65 brand new Changfang machines across the Nzema East and Aowin municipalities, marking a significant escalation in efforts to disrupt the logistics of illegal mining. This operation led to the arrest of two suspects currently under investigation by the Enchi Police. Authorities are increasingly focusing on the organized supply chains that fuel illegal mining activities, rather than solely targeting active mining sites.

The crackdown involved two distinct interceptions of equipment suspected to be destined for galamsey operations. In the first instance, a truck carrying 22 Changfang machines was impounded within the Nzema East Municipality. This was followed by a larger seizure in the Aowin District, where 43 additional machines and various mining tools were recovered. While these machines are often sold as food processing equipment for pounding fufu, they are frequently repurposed by illegal miners for gold extraction due to their portability and efficiency.

By targeting these tools before they reach mining sites, NAIMOS aims to weaken the infrastructure that supports environmental degradation. Officials noted that illegal mining operations are often backed by well-established networks capable of quickly replacing destroyed equipment. Investigating the source and intended destination of these 65 machines is expected to provide critical intelligence on the financiers and coordinators who manage these equipment delivery routes.

The ongoing investigation by the Enchi Police is focused on identifying the broader network of suppliers involved. NAIMOS has indicated that this proactive approach of intercepting machinery in transit is part of a wider strategy to dismantle the business model of illegal mining. By cutting off the supply of essential tools, the secretariat hopes to create a more sustainable deterrent against the persistent challenge of illegal mining in Ghana’s mineral-rich districts.