NAIMOS targets manufacturers and suppliers of illegal mining equipment

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has announced a significant expansion of its enforcement strategy, shifting focus toward the broader supply chain that sustains illegal mining operations across the country. This new directive specifically targets the manufacturers, transporters, and suppliers of equipment used in "galamsey," marking an intensification of the government's efforts to curb environmental destruction by cutting off the tools necessary for the trade.

During a recent operation in Eshaem, located within the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, authorities intercepted a truck transporting 22 brand-new chanfang machines intended for illegal sites. The deployment, conducted under the banner of "Operation Water Shield," also resulted in the seizure of multiple water pumps and the destruction of several illegal mining structures. By intercepting these tools before they reach the riverbeds, NAIMOS aims to prevent the further proliferation of mining activities that have long plagued the region's natural resources.

NAIMOS officials emphasized that disrupting the logistical network of illegal mining is crucial for sustainable success. The secretariat intends to investigate the ownership and supply routes of seized machinery, working in close coordination with national security and regulatory bodies to identify those benefiting from the trade. This strategic shift means that individuals who facilitate illegal mining through industrial hardware provision will now face the same level of legal scrutiny as the miners themselves.

The primary objective of these intensified operations is the preservation of the Ankobra River, which has suffered severe pollution and environmental degradation. By cutting off the supply of chanfang machines—mobile engines commonly used for alluvial mining—NAIMOS hopes to allow the river system to recover. The secretariat has issued a firm warning that anyone aiding the illegal mining industry through the transport or sale of prohibited equipment will be held strictly accountable.