94 excavators seized, 237 arrests made, according to NAIMOS
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has reported the seizure of 94 excavators and the arrest of 237 individuals, most of them foreign nationals, as part of its intensified nationwide campaign against illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
Speaking at the NAIMOS Editors’ Forum and quarterly press briefing held at the Press Centre, Accra on Wednesday, March 25, the Director of Operations, Col. Dominic Buah, outlined what he described as significant progress made over recent months in tackling the problem.
He revealed that “94 excavators have been seized so far and secured at our location. Almost 3,000 chanfans destroyed. Arrests: We have 237. The majority of them are foreigners.”
Col. Buah added that NAIMOS assesses the success of its fieldwork using a “strike rate,” which currently stands at 87.7 percent. He explained that this rating reflects the outcomes of operations, including arrests, seizures, and destruction of equipment deemed successful interventions.
“Anytime we move to the field… the seizures, the arrests, and the destruction, we count it as a positive. That determines the strike rate,” he said.
He further noted that, in addition to confiscations, the taskforce has begun immobilising excavators found at illegal mining sites due to logistical constraints. According to him, this approach has sharply reduced the number of active excavators in galamsey areas.
“The number of excavators is going down drastically… you hardly meet any of them. The ones you meet there are already immobilised,” he stated.
However, he acknowledged that illegal miners continue to adapt and develop new tactics.
“Unfortunately, the Galamseyers are also smart. They keep coming up with new ideas on how to fix the excavators,” he said.
Col. Buah also disclosed that NAIMOS is working with the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) to clear and repurpose scrap metal from polluted waterways. He said teams are currently operating along the Ankobra River, removing damaged “changfan” metal structures.
“We move diligently from one water body to another and pack all the scrap. We can put them to good use,” he explained.
He added that confiscated equipment is also being redirected for productive use, particularly in agriculture. “Pumping machines, through the Ministry of Agriculture, will be repurposed… several of them have been donated to farmers,” he noted, stressing that seized items must not return to illegal mining sites.
On security concerns, he revealed that NAIMOS has seized at least 59 weapons from illegal miners, describing the situation as a serious threat to national security. He also recounted an incident in which a soldier was shot during an operation but survived after the bullet struck his tie.
Col. Buah issued a strong warning to illegal miners who may consider attacking security personnel: “But NAIMOS will not stand by and watch people use weapons against us. We are better trained in weapons… anybody who dares, NAIMOS will deal with them ruthlessly.”
He reiterated that the agency maintains its right to self-defence and urged illegal miners not to underestimate the response of security operatives when confronted with armed resistance.
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