The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has highlighted its progress and achievements in the fight against illegal mining over four months, including the destruction of 1,970 chanfangs and 863 makeshift structures during 738 operational activities.

Colonel K.S. Appiah, Director of Operations at NAIMOS, said the activities were carried out between June 13 and September 30, 2026, as part of efforts to disrupt illegal mining networks and protect Ghana’s rivers and environmentally sensitive areas.

Addressing the media on Thursday, October 22, he said the operations covered approximately 50,662 kilometres and involved reconnaissance, mobile and riverine patrols, raids, special operations and community engagement.

According to him, the operations were guided by an intelligence-led strategy aimed at securing strategic watersheds and river systems, from their sources to their estuaries, while preventing illegal miners from returning to affected areas.

“Our approach focuses our efforts on conditions needed for lasting environmental security,” he said, stressing that sustained monitoring and effective control of illegal mining equipment were essential to achieving long-term results.

The joint operations he added, had extended across several parts of the country, including the Western, Western North, Central, Eastern and Ashanti regions, as well as the Bono, Savannah and Northern operational areas.

Beyond the destruction of mining infrastructure, Colonel Appiah disclosed that NAIMOS task forces had recovered 74 firearms and 551 rounds of ammunition during the four-month period.

The teams also seized excavators, water pumps, vehicles and other equipment used to support illegal mining, as part of efforts to weaken the operational capacity of illegal miners and restrict their ability to resume activities.

“Between 13 June when I took over and 30 September, NIAMOS conducted 738 operational activities covering a cumulative distance of approximately 50,662 km. Over the period, about 1970 machines and 863 makeshift structures have been destroyed, disrupting mining capacity and infrastructure that sustains it.

Suspects who were apprehended were handed over to appropriate authorities for investigation and further action,” he said.