The NAIMOS taskforce deployed in the Ashanti Region defied the past weekend’s Valentine Celebrations, turning the heat against the activities of illegal miners who continue to destroy arable farm lands, forests, and pollute water bodies in the Region.
As part of the operations, the NAIMOS taskforce raided two illegal mining sites on 14 February at Edwinase in the Bekwai municipality and arrested several illegal miners.
At the first site raided, the team saw several illegal miners actively mining, who took to their heels upon seeing the approaching vehicles of the taskforce.
As required, the Taskforce destroyed some washing plants, a motorcycle and a tricycle found at the site. Several makeshift structures and one industrial pumping machine were also burnt at the site.
A Sany excavator was also immobilised by taking its monitor and other parts. One (1) Pump Action Gun with 14 x BB cartridges was seized at this site.
Subsequently, the task force raided a second site where several makeshift structures and other mining equipment were burnt. The Taskforce seized two pump action guns and 3 x pumping machines as well as a radiator at the site.
Also, two Lingong excavators were seized and transported to the NAIMOS equipment lodgement in Kumasi for safekeeping.
The taskforce ended the valentine day’s operational activities at about 2245hrs having successfully dismantled the two galamsey sites and seized the following items.
Summary of seized items:
3 x excavator
1 x monitor
3 x pump action guns
3 x pumping machines.
1 x radiator
14 x BB cartridges
The next day, Sunday 15 February, the task force continued its weekend crackdown with some raids on illegal mining sites along the River Offin.
At about 0640 hrs, the NAIMOS taskforce raided illegal mining sites at Wromanso in the Amansie Central District, where there had been massive destruction of farmlands and severe pollution of the Offin River.
The illegal mining activities had degraded vast portions of the forest reserve. Several deep holes and pits had been dug and abandoned by the illegal miners, further endangering the lives of everyone in the area.
As usual, several miners took to their heels upon seeing the vehicles of the task forces approach. The taskforce subsequently raided and destroyed several pieces of mining equipment found at the site, including small and industrial pumping machines.
The task force also burnt several changfang machines on the Offin River.
Additionally, the Taskforce seized 2 x Sany excavators, 1 x wheel loader and 1 x XCMG excavator* from the site. The seized items have since been conveyed to the NAIMOS equipment lodgment in Kumasi for keeping.
The highly motivated NAIMOS team ended the day’s operations around 2100 hrs, having achieved the following:
Summary of seized items:
3 x excavator.
1 x wheel loader.
The team was also gratified to observe that most of the mining sites had been abandoned due to the task force’s deployment in the area.
The NAIMOS Secretariat intends to deepen its operations in the Ashanti Region, hoping that its logistics capabilities in terms of access to lowbeds, speed boats, and life jackets, among others, would be enhanced.
