The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched “Operation WATER SHIELD”, a sustained national campaign to protect Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds and other critical water resources from illegal mining.
The operation marks a shift from isolated raids to a sustained, intelligence-led campaign targeting illegal mining activities from river source areas to downstream communities and water-treatment facilities.
The Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin rivers, as well as affected sections of the Black and White Volta systems, have been identified as priority areas.
NAIMOS said the operation will protect river sources, prevent illegal miners from accessing riverbanks and waterways, dismantle mining logistics networks and disrupt the criminal and financial structures supporting illegal mining.
The Secretariat also said cleared river corridors will be continuously monitored to prevent reoccupation and support environmental recovery.
NAIMOS warned that enforcement under the operation will be “firm, sustained and uncompromising, within the law.”
Illegal miners operating on water bodies and riverbanks could have their operations disrupted, while equipment used in such activities may be seized or immobilised in accordance with the law.
Excavators, chanfang machines, water pumps and dredging equipment will be among the key targets.
Facilitators, unauthorised fabricators of chanfang machines, and individuals or companies that rent or supply equipment for illegal mining will also face increased scrutiny.
NAIMOS has called on traditional authorities, assemblies, equipment owners, communities and the public to provide credible information on illegal mining activities and those who finance, facilitate or supply equipment for such operations.
