In a bold and intensified move to combat illegal mining, Ghana’s military has launched an operation under the government’s “Operation Halt” initiative, dealing a heavy blow to galamsey operators in the Eastern Region. On the first day of the operation, the military destroyed 18 chanfans, 10 industrial water pumping machines, and an excavator, signaling a renewed commitment to tackling the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
The crackdown, which commenced early Thursday, specifically targeted illegal mining activities along water bodies and in protected areas—regions that have borne the brunt of severe degradation due to galamsey. The swift destruction of mining equipment underscores the government’s aggressive stance in the fight against galamsey, a practice that has polluted rivers, destroyed farmlands, and contributed to alarming deforestation.
This military action follows heightened public outcry from environmentalists, civil society groups, and concerned citizens who have long called for more decisive measures to halt illegal mining. With rivers like the Birim and Pra increasingly poisoned by toxic chemicals, including mercury, the nation’s water bodies are at risk of becoming irreversibly damaged.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo responded to these mounting concerns by ordering a stronger push under Operation Halt, deploying more military personnel to galamsey hotspots. The focus of this intensified operation is to dismantle the core machinery that sustains illegal mining.
Among the most destructive pieces of equipment were the chanfans, large machines used to dredge riverbeds for gold. These machines not only ravage aquatic ecosystems but also introduce harmful chemicals into the water, posing a grave threat to communities that depend on these rivers for drinking water and agriculture.
The destruction of these machines, along with the industrial water pumps and excavators, marks a significant setback for illegal miners. Without this equipment, continuing galamsey operations will be nearly impossible, signaling a major victory in the ongoing war against illegal mining.
