A total of 18 changfang machines used for illegal gold mining were destroyed on the first day of a renewed military operation, “Operation Halt 2”.
In addition to the changfang machines, 10 water pumps were also dismantled by the military on Thursday.
The equipment was found on the Birim River in the Eastern Region, where the operation kicked off.
The mission’s initial focus is on illegal mining activities taking place on water bodies.
The operation, which began at 8 a.m. on Thursday, is part of a broader effort to address the environmental degradation caused by galamsey.
Colonel Eric Tenadu, Commander of the “Operation Halt 2” Task Force, explained that the operation would continue on Friday, though the specific areas of focus were not disclosed.
He emphasized that the objective is to restore the country’s water bodies, many of which have been severely affected by illegal mining.
Personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, including the Navy, Army, and Air Force, are conducting the operation in collaboration with a task force from the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM).
Colonel Tenadu added that while the current phase of the operation focuses on water bodies, the next phase will target illegal mining in forest areas.
