The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) says it has made significant progress in its ongoing clampdown on illegal mining, with dozens of arrests and equipment seizures recorded nationwide.
Speaking at the NAIMOS Editors’ Forum and quarterly press briefing at the Press Centre in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, the Director of Operations, Col. Dominic Buah, said 94 excavators have been confiscated while nearly 3,000 changfans have been destroyed.
“94 excavators so far have been seized and secured in our location. Almost 3,000 changfans destroyed. Arrests: We have 237. The majority of them are foreigners,” he revealed.
Col. Buah explained that the Secretariat uses a “strike rate” system to assess the effectiveness of its operations, which he said currently stands at 87.7 percent.
“Then you have seen a strike rate of 87.7. Anytime we move to the field and meet one of the key parameters—seizures, arrests, and destruction—we count it as a positive,” he said.
He noted that due to logistical constraints, some excavators found at illegal mining sites are immobilised, a move he says is helping reduce the presence of heavy equipment at such sites.
“I must tell you that in the galamsey sites, the number of excavators is going down drastically,” he added.
Despite the progress, Col. Buah acknowledged that illegal miners continue to adapt and find new ways to evade enforcement.
“Unfortunately, the galamseyers are also smart. They keep coming up with new ideas on how to fix the excavators,” he noted.
He further disclosed that NAIMOS has partnered with the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation to remove and recycle scrap metal from polluted water bodies.
He said the collaboration is ongoing along the Ankobra River, where damaged equipment is being collected and repurposed.
According to him, seized equipment, including pumping machines, is being redirected for agricultural use through the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We want to ensure that they are not sent back to the galamsey site but repurposed for good use,” he said.
Col. Buah also revealed that confiscated vehicles are being reassigned for official use after legal clearance.
On security concerns, he disclosed that at least 59 weapons have been retrieved from illegal miners, describing the situation as a serious threat.
He recounted an incident in which a soldier was injured during an operation but is currently recovering.
Col. Buah warned illegal miners against using weapons against security personnel, stressing that NAIMOS is prepared to defend itself while continuing its operations to eliminate illegal mining.
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