Nine suspected illegal miners have been arrested, and 23 changfans destroyed by officers from ‘Operation Halt‘.

They were arrested along the Ankobra River at Prestea Nakaba in the Western Region.

The task force, consisting of over 100 soldiers was deployed last week to combat illegal mining activities across the Eastern, Central and Western Regions.

The operation is part of the government’s efforts to stop illegal mining [galamsey], which has caused widespread environmental destruction.

The task force also destroyed 33 grinding machines, 27 water pumps, 23 changfans, and three changfan boards all in the Prestea Nakaba area.

In a separate operation at Assin Asamang in the Central Region, the task force also destroyed 10 changfans and 7 water pumps, which were being used for illegal mining along the River Pra.

Additional equipment seized across the regions included grinding machines, water pumps and a locally manufactured gun.

As part of this operation, three chanfan machines commonly used for illegal gold extraction—along with other industrial equipment, were seized and burned on the banks of the Birim River.

The military’s involvement in this anti-galamsey operation follows the government’s recent announcement of the deployment of armed forces to clamp down on illegal mining activities, specifically in water bodies, under the enhanced “Operation Halt” initiative.

The Birim River, a critical water source, has suffered extensive pollution due to the illegal activities of miners, prompting swift action by the authorities.

The military-led task force made its first stop at Anyinam, in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, a known hotspot for illegal mining.

Although the operation aims to crack down on galamsey operations in the area, reports suggest that several miners fled after receiving a tip-off, temporarily halting their activities before the arrival of the task force.

While it is unclear when the exercise will conclude, the destruction of illegal mining equipment marks a significant step toward restoring the Birim River and curbing further environmental degradation.

The collaboration between the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners and the military is seen as a critical move in addressing the illegal mining menace, which has severely impacted Ghana’s water bodies and ecosystems.

The military presence in the region is expected to continue, with plans to target other illegal mining hotspots in the Eastern Region and beyond.

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The four-day operation by the military taskforce mandated to halt activities of illegal miners was aimed at clearing illegal miners and their equipment on the Birim, Offin and Oda Rivers of the Eastern and Ashanti Regions.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, the Minister indicated a number of 561 military personnel were deployed for the operation which covered 100 meters of the river.

“It is very difficult to stray far away from the rivers due to the safety of the soldiers and the fact that it is very far. So if you were not very close to the river it will be difficult for your equipment to be seized,” he said.

Mr Nitiwul further indicated that, the operation is not only going to be a one-off activity.

According to him, the operation is gradually having a significant impact and will be undertaken frequently to ensure that the country’s environment is rehabilitated and sustained.

“The operations will continue, there will be a fourth phase, fifth phase, and sixth phase. We are not stopping. “Three days ago the armed forces decided to count the number of machines that were leaving the Birim area, what we call the Atiwa forest, and just in a day, they counted 700 and that is the impact that this operation is making.”

The Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, revealed this at a press briefing on Friday, April 30, 2021, as he details the roadmap on the fight against galamsey.

The operation dubbed ‘Operation Halt’ and authorised by President Nana Akufo-Addo begun at 0600 hours on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, on River Pra in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana.

Mr Nitiwul, in his briefing, warned that the armed military men will take action against persons who are found to have returned to the site.

“It is noted that since the operation commenced on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, to Thursday, April 29, 2021, the troops have destroyed a good deal of equipment including nine excavators and  127 changfans,” he announced.

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Others, he said, included 8×24 plate batteries, one pump action gun case, a generator, a Huawei phone, a chainsaw machine, eight raincoats, fuel filters, non-citizen Ghana cards, two drilling equipment, and two boots.

He indicated the seized items deemed necessary by the police will be used as exhibits in court for prosecution with others to be destroyed.

He also noted that the team will continue to operate and patrol in galamsey-endemic regions, where major river bodies and forest reserves have been destroyed,