NAIMOS: Intercepts 65 Changfang Machines Destined for Ghana Galamsey

• The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) intercepted 65 new Changfang machines suspected of being used for illegal mining in Ghana.
• These machines were seized in the Nzema East and Aowin municipalities, leading to the arrest of two individuals involved in their transport.
• The operations uncovered a wide array of galamsey equipment, including water pumps, plastic pans, hoses, and other mining components.
• NAIMOS's actions target the organized supply chains that provide equipment to illegal miners, reinforcing intelligence about their resilience.
• The seized equipment and vehicles are secured, pending further investigations into their origin, destination, and links to illegal mining activities.

These latest seizures reinforce intelligence indicating that illegal mining operations are sustained by sophisticated, organized supply chains.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has recently intensified its efforts against illicit mining operations in Ghana, specifically targeting the supply chains that sustain them. In a series of significant operations, NAIMOS intercepted a total of 65 new Changfang machines, suspected of being destined for water-polluting 'galamsey' activities within the Nzema East and Aowin municipalities, located in Ghana's Western and Western North regions, respectively.

These enforcement actions led to the arrest of two individuals implicated in the transportation and intended receipt of the equipment. Both suspects were subsequently handed over to the Enchi Police Station for ongoing investigations. NAIMOS has confirmed that all seized equipment and vehicles are currently secured as authorities work to determine their precise origin, final destination, and any potential links to illegal mining activities in the targeted areas.

The recent interceptions highlight NAIMOS's evolving strategy to dismantle the networks that provide essential equipment to illegal miners. On a Monday, NAIMOS personnel impounded a truck carrying 22 brand-new Changfang machines in Eshaem, within the Nzema East Municipality. Just two days later, a NAIMOS Task Force, operating from Enchi and en route to Juaboso for an anti-illegal mining operation, achieved another major breakthrough.

At Akontombra Nkwanta in the Aowin District of the Western North Region, this task force intercepted a second truck. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed a substantial consignment of items commonly associated with illegal mining, including 43 Changfang machines, 28 water pumps, 28 large plastic pans, reinforced hoses, heavy-duty hoses, shafts, hammers, Wellington boots, raincoats, and blowtorches, alongside various other components used for assembling and operating mining machinery. Two vehicles, the truck carrying the equipment and a Toyota Corolla, were also taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigations.

While Changfang motors are commonly used in Ghana for legitimate purposes, such as powering fufu pounding machines, NAIMOS asserts that the majority of the intercepted units are not intended for such uses. Instead, these machines are frequently adapted for illegal mining, where they are mounted on platforms directly over waterbodies to churn sediments in the search for gold, contributing significantly to water pollution and environmental degradation.

These latest seizures reinforce intelligence indicating that illegal mining operations are sustained by sophisticated, organized supply chains. These networks possess the capacity to quickly replace equipment that has been destroyed during enforcement operations, posing a continuous challenge to anti-galamsey efforts. The Akontombra Nkwanta interception occurred shortly after a NAIMOS operation on October 25 at Eshaem, which saw the destruction of 28 Changfang machines, 19 water pumps, and five makeshift structures as enforcement activities extended towards the Ankobra River.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat's focused efforts on intercepting Changfang machines and other galamsey equipment in Ghana underscore a critical shift in enforcement strategy. By targeting the supply network rather than solely the mining sites, NAIMOS aims to disrupt the operational capacity of illegal miners at a fundamental level. This approach acknowledges the resilience of 'galamsey' activities, which are often supported by well-organized logistical chains capable of replenishing lost or destroyed equipment.

These operations, particularly in the Nzema East and Aowin areas, highlight the persistent challenge of illegal mining and the environmental damage it causes. The seizure of a significant number of Changfang machines, water pumps, and associated tools, along with the arrest of individuals involved in their transport, sends a clear message about the government's commitment to curbing this illicit trade. The ongoing investigations into the source and destination of these materials are crucial for unraveling the broader network sustaining illegal mining across the region.

This increased enforcement by NAIMOS signals heightened legal and compliance risks for businesses involved in the supply or transport of equipment potentially used in illegal mining, requiring robust due diligence to avoid complicity. Lawyers should advise clients on the expanded scope of enforcement targeting supply networks.

Source: Original reporting via Erastus Asare Donkor