NAIMOS arrests three, destroys 86 Chanfang machines in Ablebo

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested three persons and destroyed 86 Chanfang machines, 11 water pumps and two makeshift structures in a major operation against illegal mining activities at Ablebo in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

The operation, conducted on August 22, 2026, formed part of NAIMOS’ ongoing reconnaissance and enforcement operations aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling illegal mining activities across the country.

The security operatives reportedly took illegal miners by surprise when they invaded the Ablebo General Area as part of a reconnaissance patrol to assess the extent of illegal mining activities and gather intelligence on operations in the area.

The operation covered approximately 35 kilometres and led to the identification of several illegal mining sites where mining activities were actively taking place.

Upon encountering the illegal operations, the team moved in to disrupt the activities and dismantle the equipment being used by the illegal miners.

In all, 86 Chanfang machines, 11 water pumps and two makeshift structures were destroyed, significantly reducing the capacity of illegal miners to continue their activities in the immediate area.

Some of the equipment was removed from the mining sites by personnel of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), while other equipment was set ablaze during the operation.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal mining activities.

They were subsequently conveyed to the Axim Police Station in the Nzema East Municipality, where they were handed over for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The operation also brought renewed attention to the environmental threat posed by illegal mining activities to the Ankobra River, which has been identified as an affected water body in the area.

According to the operation report submitted by the team leader, 2/Lt. B.A. Apedele, the reconnaissance patrol successfully disrupted illegal mining activities within the Ablebo General Area and cleared substantial quantities of equipment from the affected locations.

The arrest of the three suspects and their handover to the police are expected to facilitate further investigations into the individuals and networks behind the illegal mining activities.

NAIMOS said the operation underscored the need for sustained reconnaissance, monitoring and enforcement in mining communities where illegal activities continue to threaten Ghana’s water bodies and environment.

The Ablebo operation forms part of broader efforts by NAIMOS and other state security and enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal mining, protect water bodies and restore degraded mining landscapes.

With the 35-kilometre patrol successfully completed and significant quantities of illegal mining equipment destroyed or removed, the operation achieved its immediate objective of disrupting illegal mining activities and providing critical information on the scale of the problem in the area.