The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Special Task Force has intervened in a violent confrontation involving suspected illegal miners operating in the Atiwa Forest Reserve in the Abuakwa South District of the Eastern Region.
The incident, which reportedly involved the use of machetes, left one person seriously injured. The timely intervention of the NAIMOS Task Force prevented the confrontation from escalating further.
The injured person was taken to the Asiakwa Police Station before being referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Following the incident, the Task Force conducted a reconnaissance patrol within the forest reserve to assess the extent of illegal mining activities and the resulting environmental damage.
The patrol uncovered extensive illegal mining along river systems within the reserve, with several areas showing significant environmental degradation.
The Task Force also encountered difficult terrain, with steep and rugged areas making access by conventional vehicles challenging. Movement in some parts of the reserve was largely limited to foot, motorbikes and tricycles.
Although no arrests were made during the reconnaissance operation, the Task Force destroyed 15 makeshift structures and 11 water-pumping machines believed to have been used in illegal mining activities.
Information gathered from local sources suggests that a significant number of illegal miners may still be operating within the forest reserve, pointing to the scale and persistence of the problem.
NAIMOS has commenced further investigations into the illegal mining activities as well as the circumstances surrounding the violent confrontation.
The Secretariat says it will intensify operations in the Atiwa Forest Reserve and surrounding areas to disrupt illegal mining, protect water bodies and prevent further environmental degradation.
