The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAiMOS), in collaboration with personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, has seized 17 excavators in a major operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Central Region.
The enforcement exercise was conducted between September 7 and 9, 2026, at Subin-Akwaboso in the Upper Denkyira West Municipality and along sections of the Offin River.
According to NAiMOS, the operation followed weeks of reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, which identified several active illegal mining sites within the township, along roadsides and on the banks and tributaries of the Offin River.
The joint task force targeted the identified sites and seized 15 excavators at Subin-Akwaboso, while also destroying several chanfang machines and makeshift structures allegedly used to facilitate illegal mining activities.
The operation was subsequently extended to Dunkwa-on-Offin, where the task force targeted additional illegal mining sites.
At Dunkwa-on-Offin, several more chanfang machines and makeshift structures were destroyed, while two additional excavators were seized.
NAiMOS said all the seized equipment had been transported to a secure military holding facility pending further investigations and administrative action.
The Secretariat said the operation forms part of its sustained efforts to protect the Offin River and its tributaries from the effects of illegal mining and prevent further environmental degradation.
It said targeted patrols and follow-up operations would continue in the area to deter illegal miners from returning to the affected sites and strengthen monitoring and enforcement along the Offin River corridor.
NAiMOS also stressed the need for degraded mining sites to be properly reclaimed and restored as part of broader efforts to protect water resources and safeguard communities located around affected areas.
