94 excavators seized, 237 arrested, majority foreigners-NAIMOS reveals
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has disclosed that it has seized 94 excavators and arrested 237 individuals, mostly foreigners, in its intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities. This was revealed at the NAIMOS Editors' Forum and quarterly press briefing at the Press Centre in Accra on Wednesday, March 25. According to Col. Dominic Buah, Director of Operations, "94 excavators so far seized, secured in our location. Almost 3,000 chanfans destroyed. Arrests: We have 237. The majority of them are foreigners."
Col. Buah explained that NAIMOS measures the effectiveness of its operations using a "strike rate," which currently stands at 87.7 percent. Operatives have also resorted to immobilising excavators found at illegal mining sites due to logistical challenges. NAIMOS has begun collaborating with the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) to clear and repurpose scrap metal from polluted water bodies. NAIMOS is repurposing equipment confiscated from illegal miners to support productive sectors such as agriculture.
Seized vehicles are being redirected into official operations after due legal processes. NAIMOS has confiscated at least 59 weapons from illegal miners. Col. Buah recounted a recent incident in which a soldier was shot during an operation.
Quick Summary
NAIMOS has ramped up efforts to combat illegal mining- locally known as "galamsey"- across Ghana. The crackdown has led to significant disruptions, but the situation is more complex than it appears.
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