The Ghanaian military has launched an intensified operation aimed at combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, resulting in the destruction of significant mining equipment on the operation’s first day.
Under the government’s “Operation Halt” initiative, soldiers successfully destroyed 18 chanfans, 10 industrial water pumping machines, and one excavator across various illegal mining sites in Ghana. The crackdown, which began early on Thursday morning, specifically targeted illegal mining activities in water bodies and protected areas, regions that have long been ravaged by environmental degradation caused by galamsey operations.
This latest military action is part of a broader national effort to curb the severe environmental consequences of galamsey, which has led to polluted rivers, devastated farmlands, and widespread deforestation throughout the country.
The crackdown follows mounting calls from environmental groups, civil society organizations (CSOs), and concerned citizens who have been urging the government to take more decisive action against illegal mining.
Galamsey has become one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental and economic crises, with its destructive impact on water bodies and agricultural lands threatening the country’s long-term sustainability.
In response to these growing demands, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ordered a significant intensification of Operation Halt, deploying additional military personnel to galamsey hotspots across the country.
A key component of the operation involved targeting and dismantling the heavy machinery used in illegal mining. Among the most significant pieces of equipment destroyed were chanfans, large machines typically used to extract gold from riverbeds. These machines have been linked to significant environmental damage, as they dredge riverbeds and release harmful chemicals like mercury into water systems, endangering aquatic life.
In addition to the chanfans, the military destroyed 10 industrial water pumping machines, which are crucial for illegal miners to wash gold-laden sediment from riverbeds. The destruction of these machines significantly hampers the ability of illegal miners to continue their operations.
An excavator, often used to dig deep pits in the mining process, was also destroyed as part of the operation. With these key pieces of equipment dismantled, the military’s actions are expected to significantly disrupt the operations of illegal mining groups.
The ongoing operation is seen as a critical step in the government’s broader efforts to restore Ghana’s environmental health and protect its natural resources from the devastating effects of galamsey.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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