More than 1,900 suspected illegal miners have been arrested across six regions as part of intensified efforts to combat galamsey, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed.
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Media Relations Officer at the ministry and spokesperson for the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation (NAIMOS), revealed the figures on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Friday, March 20.
According to Schandorf, the arrests were made in key flashpoints across the Ashanti, Western, Western North, Central, Eastern, and parts of the northern regions.
He identified the Ashanti Region as the epicentre of the illegal mining menace, attributing the high concentration of activity to its rich mineral deposits, which continue to attract illegal miners in large numbers.
“We can say that well over 1,900 suspected illegal miners have been arrested. And that has been across the relevant flashpoints,” he stated.
However, Schandorf acknowledged significant challenges in the fight against galamsey, citing financial constraints as a major obstacle affecting the effectiveness and sustainability of operations.
“It has not been easy. To be very honest, NAIMOS has also been financially challenged in terms of its operations,” he said.
