NAIMOS destroys 92 chanfang machines, arrests three suspected galamseyers on Tano River
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) destroyed 92 illegal mining machines and arrested three suspects along the Tano River in Ghana. This operation is part of a broader campaign to protect the country's water bodies from environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.
Why it matters
Illegal mining, or 'galamsey', poses a severe threat to water security and environmental health in Ghana.
Takoradi, Oct. 19, GNA – 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.
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