The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced major gains in its ongoing crackdown on illegal mining, following a series of coordinated operations carried out this week by the Blue Water Guards and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

The joint task force, according to the ministry, confiscated more than 12 excavators and several changfan machines during operations in parts of the Eastern and Western Regions, where illegal miners were operating within forest reserves and water bodies.

Providing an update to the media on Friday, October 17, the ministry’s Director of Communications, Ama Mawusi, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to root out illegal mining and protect the country’s natural resources.

“For excavators, we got about 12 of them. We also seized five motorbikes, four excavator batteries, some computer monitors, two heavy-duty water pumps, several fuel drums, and multiple makeshift structures,” she said.

She added that the task force also destroyed 24 pumping machines, 20 changfans, and other tools used by the illegal miners.

“Basically, this is the activity the team undertook in the course of the week, and we will continue until we eliminate illegal mining operations across the country,” Mawusi stated.

The ministry said the latest operation reflects its renewed commitment to enforcing environmental protection laws and ensuring that mining activities are conducted responsibly and within approved areas.