The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has intensified its operations in the Bole/Bamboi area of the Savannah Region as part of a nationwide effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities, widely known as galamsey.
On July 25, 2025, the task force returned to a mining site where 11 Chinese nationals had been arrested just the day before. In this follow-up operation, the team seized a range of heavy-duty vehicles, mining-related equipment, and other supplies believed to be linked to illegal operations in the area. The items included several tipper trucks, a bulldozer, a low bed truck, and a Forland vehicle, along with drums of engine oil, dozens of tires, and multiple motorbikes.
All confiscated items have since been transported to the NAIMOS Headquarters in Accra, using hired drivers. The equipment will remain in custody pending further investigation and directives from relevant authorities.
According to NAIMOS officials, the crackdown in Bole/Bamboi forms part of a broader strategy to dismantle illegal mining operations that continue to threaten Ghana’s environment and mineral resources. Intelligence reports had flagged the area as a hotspot for galamsey activities involving foreign nationals and heavy machinery.
A source within the task force emphasized that these operations are not isolated incidents, but part of a sustained national campaign aimed at protecting Ghana’s natural environment and restoring lands degraded by unregulated mining. The task force’s presence in the Savannah Region, they noted, is intended to disrupt galamsey supply chains, arrest perpetrators, and serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Illegal mining remains one of the most pressing environmental and governance issues facing the country. With ongoing support from security agencies and local stakeholders, NAIMOS has pledged to intensify similar operations in identified hotspots. Officials believe that the seizure of equipment in Bole/Bamboi will send a strong message and help strengthen enforcement of Ghana’s mining laws.
The government continues to emphasize the importance of regulated, sustainable mining practices as a cornerstone of national development, urging communities and investors alike to reject illegal activity and support environmental protection efforts.
