The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has halted an ongoing excavation about 7 to 10 meters away from the Akyem Techiman Highway in the Eastern Region.
The exercise was undertaken in the early hours of Monday, February 2, 2026, by a NAIMOS Task Force on its routine anti-galamsey patrols.
The team came across the illegal mining activities along the main road near Akyem Techiman in the Kwaebibirem District.
The workers reportedly absconded to escape arrest upon sighting of the NAIMOS team, leaving behind water pumping machines and two excavators they were using at the site.
“The Task Force immediately seized the equipment left behind, and the NAIMOS Excavator Operators have since commenced instant refilling of the closest pit recklessly dug about 7meters from the main road,” the NAIMOS reported in a statement.
It explained that this is an instant corrective measure to prevent the risk hazard and further environmental damage, pending proper long-term reclamation.
It further cautioned all galamseyers against environmental degradation as it highlighted the accompanying health risks.
It vowed to ruthlessly deal with any such perpetrators according to its enforcement guidelines.
“The NAIMOS Secretariat also wishes to advise or urge all local administrative, intelligence and security authorities to up their monitoring and enforcement commitments to prevent such obvious unlawful activities in their communities,” it added.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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Source:
opemsuo.com