94 excavators seized, 237 arrests made – NAIMOS 

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) says it has seized 94 excavators and arrested 237 individuals—most of them foreign nationals—as part of its ongoing nationwide operations against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Speaking at a quarterly press briefing in Accra on March 25, the Director of Operations, Col. Dominic Buah, highlighted what he described as significant progress in recent months. He disclosed that nearly 3,000 changfans have also been destroyed during the operations.

Col. Buah explained that the Secretariat assesses its performance using a “strike rate,” which currently stands at 87.7 percent. According to him, this figure reflects successful operations involving arrests, seizures, and the destruction of illegal mining equipment.

He noted that beyond confiscations, operatives have increasingly resorted to immobilising excavators at mining sites due to logistical constraints in transporting them. This, he said, has contributed to a noticeable decline in the number of excavators found at galamsey sites.

“In the past, we would encounter between 10 and 20 excavators at a site, but now it is becoming rare. The few we find are often already immobilised,” he said, although he acknowledged that illegal miners continue to adapt and devise new ways to restore damaged equipment.

Col. Buah revealed that at least 59 weapons have been retrieved from illegal miners, describing the development as a serious concern. He recounted a recent incident in which a soldier was shot during an operation but survived.

He warned that the Secretariat would respond decisively to any attacks on its personnel. “We will not stand by and allow armed resistance. We are trained and prepared to defend ourselves,” he cautioned.

NAIMOS says it remains committed to intensifying its operations as it works to curb illegal mining and its impact on the environment.