NAIMOS Arrests Illegal Miners: Six Apprehended in Savannah Region

• NAIMOS, in conjunction with the Ghana Armed Forces, arrested six suspected illegal miners in Wakawaka, Bole District, Savannah Region, between October 26-28, 2026.
• The arrests occurred after intelligence indicated miners had returned to previously cleared sites to resume operations.
• Equipment including a generator, air compressors, and a solar panel were seized, and seven air compressors and 58 makeshift structures were destroyed.
• This operation follows a similar enforcement action at the same site in July 2026, highlighting the challenge of preventing the resurgence of illegal mining.
• NAIMOS urged residents to report any return of suspected illegal miners or attempts to rebuild infrastructure to support sustained anti-galamsey efforts.

NAIMOS has acknowledged that the repeated return of miners to areas previously cleared by security forces underscores the inherent difficulty in preventing the resurgence of illegal mining operations.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) recently apprehended six individuals suspected of engaging in illicit mining activities in the Savannah Region. This operation, which took place between October 26 and 28, 2026, targeted Wakawaka in the Bole District, where the suspects allegedly returned to sites previously cleared of illegal mining infrastructure. Intelligence received by authorities indicated that miners had re-established their operations and rebuilt facilities despite prior enforcement actions.

A statement released by NAIMOS on Wednesday, October 28, confirmed that its task force discovered the individuals actively involved in mining, which was exacerbating environmental damage in the area. Following their apprehension, the six suspects were transferred to the police for further investigation. Security personnel also confiscated a range of equipment and materials believed to have been utilized in the illegal operations, including a generator plant, an air compressor, water hoses, a saw machine, hammers, rubber mats, and a solar panel, alongside other mining-related items.

This recent NAIMOS enforcement in Wakawaka was a joint effort, conducted in collaboration with the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, underscoring the multi-agency approach to combating illegal mining, often referred to as 'galamsey', across Ghana. The operation was specifically launched after intelligence reports highlighted the persistent challenge of miners re-establishing themselves in locations that had previously undergone extensive clearance. This proactive measure demonstrates the ongoing commitment to Savannah Region mining compliance.

The intervention in late October 2026 follows a similar joint Ghana anti-galamsey operation conducted at the very same Wakawaka site in July 2026. During that earlier exercise, NAIMOS, the Northern Command, and the Savannah Division of the Ghana Police Service worked together to dismantle existing illegal mining infrastructure. In the latest action, to effectively disrupt the supporting framework for these activities, the task force systematically destroyed seven air compressors and 58 makeshift structures found at the site, preventing their future use.

NAIMOS has acknowledged that the repeated return of miners to areas previously cleared by security forces underscores the inherent difficulty in preventing the resurgence of illegal mining operations. This pattern highlights a significant challenge in sustaining the gains made through enforcement exercises against illegal mining networks. The secretariat remains committed to its mandate of protecting the environment and ensuring adherence to mining regulations.

In light of these persistent issues, NAIMOS has issued a public appeal, urging local residents to actively participate in the fight against illegal mining. The secretariat specifically requested that citizens promptly report any sightings of suspected illegal miners returning to cleared sites, the movement of heavy equipment, or any attempts to reconstruct mining infrastructure. This call for community vigilance is central to NAIMOS's strategy for sustained operations and effective Ghana anti-galamsey enforcement.

Lawyers advising clients in Ghana's mining sector or those with land interests should note the persistent and aggressive enforcement against illegal mining (galamsey) by NAIMOS and the Ghana Armed Forces. This indicates a high and ongoing risk of legal action for any involvement in or facilitation of such activities, requiring robust compliance and due diligence measures, especially in areas previously targeted by authorities.

Source: Original reporting via myjoyonline.com