NAIMOS raids illegal mining site at COCOBOD demonstration farm in Bunso
A taskforce from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has conducted a large-scale operation against illegal mining activities at the COCOBOD Demonstration Farm, Section E, located at Bunso in the Eastern Region.
The operation, which was carried out on January 8, uncovered eight excavators and twelve illegal miners actively operating on the site.
NAIMOS officials disclosed that the demonstration farm had previously been visited on two occasions to halt the destructive activities of the illegal miners. However, the operators reportedly returned to the same location within a week, prompting the latest enforcement action.
All individuals involved in the illegal mining were arrested and subsequently handed over to the Ghana Police Service to assist with further investigations and prosecution.
The excavators seized during the operation have been transported to the NAIMOS Equipment Base in Accra.
Meanwhile, in a separate but related operation on January 2, 2026, the NAIMOS Taskforce, working in collaboration with the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, launched an extensive clampdown on galamsey activities along the Ankobra River. The exercise began in the Abelebo and Akango communities within the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
According to the Taskforce, an estimated 500 illegal miners fled upon noticing the presence of the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest. The Taskforce is currently pursuing the suspects, many of whom reportedly crossed the Ankobra River and sought refuge in nearby bushes and communities.
As part of the operation, the Joint Taskforce destroyed approximately 100 dredging Chanfang platforms, 50 water pumping machines, and several temporary structures erected by the illegal miners. The team also dismantled and destroyed multiple pipelines connected to the Ankobra River that were discharging mining waste into the waterbody, contributing to its pollution.
Additionally, five excavators were discovered in a mining pit located about 150 metres from the Ankobra River. These machines were immobilised after their control boards and monitors were removed to render them non-operational.
NAIMOS says it remains firmly in control of the situation and has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the pursuit of illegal miners to eliminate galamsey activities from the affected communities.
Source: 3news
