The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has uncovered and dismantled an extensive illegal mining (galamsey) network operating directly on the river Pra in the Eastern Region, in a major intelligence-led operation conducted on Tuesday.

The joint operation, carried out in collaboration with the Akyem-Oda Blue Water Guards, targeted illegal mining activities along the Pra River corridor between Ofoase Awona and Nsese communities in the Akyemansa District.

The exercise forms part of ongoing national efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies and enforce environmental laws.

According to NAiMOS, the operation was executed under tight security and secrecy, with the primary objective of verifying intelligence reports, disrupting ongoing illegal mining activities, and destroying equipment used in polluting the river.

The River Pra has suffered severe degradation from illegal mining, leading to the shutdown of some water treatment plants in recent months.

Personnel of the joint task force trekked approximately 14 kilometres through cocoa plantations from Akyem Ofoase Awona to access the riverbank.

Upon arrival, they encountered about 50 illegal miners actively operating on the river.

The miners fled the scene, swimming across the Pra River toward Nsese to evade arrest.

Following the escape of the miners, the task force dismantled and destroyed all illegal mining infrastructure at the site.

In total, 75 dredging Changfang platforms and 50 gold washing platforms were destroyed, while 150 Changfang machines found on the riverbed were burnt.

Several pipelines and water hoses connected directly to the Pra River were also destroyed.

After the operation, NAiMOS officials engaged residents of the affected communities, sensitising them on the environmental, health, and livelihood risks associated with illegal mining.

Community members reportedly expressed appreciation for the intervention and called for sustained operations to help restore the Pra River and safeguard their sources of livelihood.

NAIMOS noted that the persistence of well-organised illegal mining networks in remote communities, operating with apparent impunity despite existing local security and administrative structures, raises serious security concerns.

The Secretariat has therefore called for strengthened and better-coordinated administrative and security arrangements in such areas to effectively deter and dismantle entrenched criminal mining activities.