The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which operates under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced a significant intensification of its efforts to curb illegal mining (galamsey) across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday at a press briefing in Accra, the Director of Operations for NAIMOS, Col. Dominic Buah, highlighted the agency’s collaborative approach, partnering with traditional leaders, local communities and the Blue Water Guard Initiative to gather intelligence-led operations across seven regions to target unlawful activities.
He outlined NAIMOS Key Operational Metrics as of early March 2026.
“NAIMOS has successfully seized 94 excavators and destroyed nearly 3,000 Chamfans (mining machines),” he said.
According to Col. Buah, a total of 237 illegal miners have been arrested, with the majority being foreigners illegally participating in the small-scale mining sector.
He disclosed that NAIMOS is actively supervising the reclamation of land, notably restoring over 800 acres in the Amansie area of the Ashanti Region.
He emphasised that, while mining will continue legally, illegal operations posing risks to environmental safety and community health will be met with firm enforcement.
The agency is aimed at ensuring environmental compliance and enforcement within the mining sector to support the fight against illegal mining, and creating alternative, responsible livelihoods for miners to ensure sustainability and keep them off the waterways.
Adwoa Koramah Anokye-Gyimah & Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
