NAIMOS destroys 92 chanfang machines, arrests three suspected illegal miners on Tano River 

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has destroyed 92 chanfang machines and arrested three suspected illegal miners in a sustained operation against illegal mining (galamsey) activities along the Tano River at Asemkrom in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region.

The operation formed part of NAIMOS' “Operation WATER SHIELD”, a campaign intended to protect Ghana’s strategic water bodies by denying illegal miners access to rivers and riverbanks, dismantling mining infrastructure and preventing the re-establishment of illegal mining activities in cleared areas.

A statement issued by the Secretariat said the operation conducted on October 18, followed enforcement action conducted on October 15, 2026, during which the NAIMOS Task Force identified extensive illegal mining activities involving platforms and chanfang machines operating directly on the Tano River near the Jema-Asekrom Forest Reserve.

It said during the October 15 operation, the Task Force destroyed 61 chanfang machines, recovered six water pumps and a generator, and arrested three suspected operators, who were subsequently handed over to the Police for further investigations.

It noted that despite the earlier enforcement action, follow-up riverine patrols on October 18 revealed that illegal in-stream mining was still taking place along parts of the river.

“Several platforms and chanfang machines were again found operating on the water, underscoring the determination of illegal miners to return to the river after security operations,” the statement said.

It noted that the NAIMOS personnel moved and destroyed an additional 31 chanfang machines and seized two outboard motors used for the galamsey activities.

It said the two operations, therefore, resulted in the destruction of 92 chanfang machines within four days, significantly disrupting the capacity of illegal miners operating along that section of the Tano River.

The statement said: “NAIMOS personnel observed that ongoing in-stream mining has severely affected the river, with increased turbidity and visible environmental degradation along affected sections, while the activities also posed a continuing threat to the adjoining forest environment and communities that depended on the river system.

“The rapid return of illegal miners after the initial operation reinforces the need for sustained riverine patrols, continuous monitoring and repeated enforcement action to prevent cleared sites from being reoccupied.”

It assured that NAIMOS would maintain pressure along the Tano River and other identified hotspots, while strengthening engagement with communities to prevent local participation in illegal mining and encourage the timely reporting of suspicious activities.

“NAIMOS remains committed to protecting the Tano River and its tributaries and will continue targeted operations against illegal mining activities that threaten the country’s water resources and environment,” the statement added.

GNA