Ghana's security forces have destroyed temporary structures and platforms on the Ankobra river

A special Ghanaian government task force has carried out a major crackdown on illegal gold mining along the country's Ankobra river in the Western Region, presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu reported on Thursday.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) operation, carried out on September 17, involved simultaneous raids from Dwira Ashem through Dominase to Akango at the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region which were supported by the Western Regional Security Council, the Western Naval Command, and the Nzema East Blue Water Guards, the spokesperson said.

"The well-coordinated operation was simultaneously conducted and resulted in the seizure of some illegal mining wares and equipment as well as demolishing of several makeshift structures," Ofosu stated.

Mining accounts for about 40% of Ghana's foreign exchange earnings and 5.7% of GDP. Gold dominates the sector, making up over 90% of mineral exports. In 2019, Ghana became Africa's top gold producer, with 142.4 metric tonnes.

Ghana Gold Board CEO Sammy Gyamfi said that the small-scale mining sector boosted its share to over 40% of the country's annual output last year. Around 70-80 percent of the Ghana's small mines are unlicensed.

The operation was part of a three-week campaign to curb widespread illegal mining in the region which involved the deconstruction of 20 makeshift structures and 10 dredging platforms, the dismantling of 20 chanfangs (floating platforms), and the confiscation of motorbikes, water pumps, solar panels, and other equipment.

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In Ghana, illegal small-scale gold miners are commonly referred to as galamsey, a term derived from the phrase "gather them and sell." 

According to Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, 1,345 illegal miners have been arrested since January. "Illegal mining continues to destroy our rivers, forests, and farmland. It is an environmental emergency," Buah has said as quoted by Africa Briefing.

Ghana is not alone in facing the challenge of illegal resource extraction. In March, Mali's government announced it was suspending the issuance of artisanal mining permits to foreign nationals. The decision followed two deadly incidents - a mine collapse and a tunnel flooding - that killed dozens of miners. Illegal mining is also widespread in South Africa, with thousands of people regularly searching for gold in abandoned mines that are no longer considered viable or safe for legal operations.