NAIMOS Sustains Pressure On Illegal Mining Along Ankobra River Despite Armed Resistance

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has returned to Eshiem in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region for another major enforcement operation, two days after dismantling extensive illegal mining infrastructure and intercepting a truck carrying 22 brand-new chanfang machines in the same area. The follow-up operation is part of NAIMOS’ sustained campaign to prevent illegal miners from reoccupying cleared sites and to protect the Ankobra River from further degradation.
During the latest operation, NAIMOS personnel raided several identified illegal mining sites and destroyed nine chanfang machines, 11 water pumps and a makeshift structure. At one of the major sites, personnel found an excavator whose monitor had already been removed. They recovered a critical control component from the machine, further restricting its immediate use for mining. Upon the Task Force’s arrival, suspected illegal miners fled the sites, with some reportedly entering the Ankobra River to evade the operation. Reportedly, one individual could not reach the far bank.
FOLLOW-UP TO MAJOR EQUIPMENT INTERCEPTION
Earlier in the day, the 22 new chanfang machines and the truck intercepted during the 25 October operation were moved to NAIMOS Headquarters in Accra for further administrative and investigative action. The machines had been intercepted while being offloaded into a store during the previous operation at Eshiem. This development is part of NAIMOS’s emerging strategy to target not only illegal mining sites but also the fabrication, supply, transport, and storage networks that enable miners to rapidly replace equipment destroyed during enforcement operations.
NAIMOS said investigations into such equipment will seek to establish its source, ownership, intended destination, and possible links to illegal mining operations.
TASK FORCE ENCOUNTERS ARMED RESISTANCE
During withdrawal from the latest operation, the Task Force encountered a deliberate road obstruction involving a group of people, including an individual observed carrying a firearm. The group dispersed as the Task Force approached, and the armed individual fled into a nearby cocoa farm. As personnel attempted to clear the obstruction, shots were fired from the direction of the cocoa farm. The Task Force responded in accordance with its force-protection procedures and successfully disengaged from the area. No casualties were recorded among NAIMOS personnel.
The incident highlights the growing challenge posed by individuals and groups seeking to obstruct state enforcement against illegal mining. NAIMOS has warned that armed resistance, intimidation, roadblocks, or other attempts to obstruct lawful anti-illegal-mining operations will not deter the Secretariat from carrying out its mandate.
OPERATIONS ALONG ANKOBRA TO CONTINUE
The 27 October operation follows the major enforcement action at Eshiem on 25 October, during which NAIMOS destroyed 28 chanfang machines, 19 water pumps and five makeshift structures, and identified major illegal mining sites extending towards the Ankobra River.
Taken together, the two operations destroyed 37 chanfang machines and 30 water pumps in the Eshiem area over three days and intercepted 22 newly manufactured chanfang machines. The repeated operations demonstrate NAIMOS’ shift towards persistent enforcement rather than one-off raids. Cleared sites will be revisited, equipment supply chains will be investigated, and those attempting to facilitate the return of illegal miners will face increasing scrutiny.
NAIMOS serves notice that relocating equipment, concealing excavator components, or intimidating enforcement personnel will not protect illegal mining operations. The Secretariat will continue operations along the Ankobra River corridor and other affected water bodies, while extending its investigations to manufacturers, fabricators, suppliers, transporters and other actors whose activities sustain illegal mining.
The message is clear: NAIMOS will return to cleared areas, pursue the networks that replace destroyed machinery, and confront attempts to obstruct lawful enforcement. Ghana’s rivers will not be surrendered to illegal mining.