We have the right to self-defence, you shoot me I shoot you – NAIMOS Director of Operations warns illegal miners

The Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Dominic Buah, has issued a strong warning to illegal miners, stating that any attempt to attack members of his taskforce with firearms will be met with decisive force. He emphasized that personnel operating under NAIMOS have the right to self-defence and will not hesitate to respond if their lives are threatened during operations.

Speaking at an editors’ forum in Accra on March 25, Colonel Buah revealed that many individuals involved in illegal mining—commonly referred to as galamsey—are armed and often use weapons to protect their operations from law enforcement. He stressed that the taskforce operates under established rules governing the use of firearms, but made it clear that any aggression directed at officers would trigger an immediate and proportionate response.

According to him, NAIMOS is committed to enforcing the law while ensuring the safety of its personnel. He noted that while the taskforce does not operate under a “shoot-to-kill” policy, officers are fully entitled to defend themselves in life-threatening situations. “If you attempt to shoot at us, we will respond accordingly,” he reiterated, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by armed illegal miners.

Colonel Buah also disclosed growing concerns over the involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining activities, particularly individuals from China. He revealed that the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana has expressed alarm over the increasing number of Chinese citizens engaged in galamsey. According to him, many of these individuals do not enter the country through formal or monitored channels but are instead brought in through organized networks that transport them directly to illegal mining sites.

The NAIMOS Director highlighted that the government’s anti-galamsey operations are increasingly targeting such networks, which he described as sophisticated syndicates facilitating illegal mining activities. He stressed that tackling these networks is essential to addressing the root causes of the problem and restoring order in the mining sector.

Providing an update on enforcement efforts, Colonel Buah announced that NAIMOS has arrested 237 individuals in recent nationwide operations. He noted that a significant proportion of those arrested are foreign nationals, reflecting the international dimension of the illegal mining challenge. These arrests, he said, form part of intensified efforts to clamp down on unlawful activities and protect Ghana’s natural resources.

He further disclosed that the taskforce has achieved an operational success rate of 87.7 percent, which he described as a strong indicator of progress in the fight against galamsey. As part of these operations, NAIMOS has seized and destroyed large quantities of equipment used in illegal mining. This includes 94 excavators and nearly 3,000 “chanfang” machines, which are commonly deployed in illicit mining activities.

Colonel Buah explained that in situations where it is not feasible to transport seized equipment from remote or inaccessible sites, key components are removed to render the machines unusable. This strategy ensures that the equipment cannot be reused by illegal operators, thereby disrupting their activities and reducing their capacity to continue mining unlawfully.

He noted that these sustained enforcement actions are already yielding visible results. According to him, the use of heavy machinery such as excavators at illegal mining sites has declined significantly. In many cases, the few machines still found at such sites have been immobilised, demonstrating the impact of the ongoing crackdown.

Beyond enforcement, Colonel Buah emphasized the importance of providing legal alternatives for individuals interested in mining. He encouraged prospective miners to take advantage of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development programme (rCOMSDEP), which is designed to promote sustainable and regulated mining practices. The initiative aims to equip participants with the necessary skills and support to operate within the legal framework while minimizing environmental damage.

He described illegal miners as the “number one enemy of the state,” citing the severe environmental destruction caused by galamsey, particularly the pollution of water bodies and degradation of land. He reaffirmed NAIMOS’ commitment to clearing rivers and other water sources of illegal mining activities, noting that while progress has been made, the fight is far from over.

“Our focus remains on protecting our water bodies and natural resources,” he said, adding that although the situation has improved, continuous effort and collaboration are required to fully eradicate illegal mining. He concluded by urging all stakeholders, including local communities and industry players, to support the government’s efforts in restoring environmental integrity and ensuring sustainable resource management.