BY Grace Zigah
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has carried out a decisive operation against illegal mining in the Tano North District of the Ahafo Region, targeting communities long affected by the destructive practice.
The sweep, conducted on 18 January 2026, underscores both the persistent challenge of galamsey in the area and the evolving strategies of enforcement agencies to safeguard livelihoods and natural resources.
Weeks of intelligence reports had highlighted sustained illegal mining activities in communities such as Sukuumu, Subrisu No. 2, and Adrobaa. These reports indicated that the Tano River, a vital source of water for the region, and farmlands relied upon by local residents were at imminent risk of pollution and destruction putting residents at high risk.
NAIMOS officials decided to deploy a task force to disrupt operations and prevent further environmental degradation.
Upon arrival, the task force found evidence of extensive illegal mining activity at three major sites.
Surprisingly, however, the miners had fled, taking with them excavators, heavy machinery, and other equipment. Locals reported that some of the operations had been conducted by foreign nationals, including Chinese operators, who had recently left the area after being tipped off.
Despite the absence of the miners, the remnants of their operations were evident. Makeshift structures, water pumping setups, and logistical facilities painted a clear picture of fully functional illegal mining activities.
NAIMOS acted swiftly to dismantle the remaining infrastructure.
Makeshift shelters were set on fire, logistical points destroyed, and a multipurpose water pumping machine critical to sustaining mining activity was deliberately rendered unusable.
Other items destroyed or removed included white drums, excavator batteries, plastic chairs, and empty barrels—ordinary items individually, but collectively forming the operational backbone of illegal mining camps.
“This operation demonstrates a shift in strategy,” a NAIMOS official said. “Even when miners anticipate enforcement and flee, their ability to restart operations is denied. By removing the machinery and infrastructure, we make illegal mining risky and costly to resume.”
The raid in Tano North reflects a recurring national challenge. Illegal mining operations, often mobile and sometimes foreign-backed, leave behind degraded farmland, polluted rivers, and disrupted communities.
While miners can temporarily evade law enforcement, NAIMOS’s approach of dismantling equipment and destroying operational bases aims to ensure that such activities cannot easily resume.
For residents of Sukuumu, Subrisu No. 2, and Adrobaa, the operation offers a temporary reprieve and a chance for the land to recover.
However, the permanence of this pause will depend on sustained intelligence-led operations and consistent field presence by enforcement agencies.
