The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Special Task Force deployed to the Abuakwa South District of the Eastern Region has intervened in a violent confrontation involving suspected illegal miners operating in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

A statement issued by NAIMOS and copied to the media said the clash reportedly involved machetes and left one person seriously injured.

“The timely intervention of the NAIMOS Task Force prevented the confrontation from escalating further,” the statement said.

It added that the injured individual was taken to the Asiakwa Police Station and subsequently referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Extensive degradation uncovered

Following the incident, the Task Force conducted a reconnaissance patrol within the Atiwa Forest Reserve to assess the extent of illegal mining activities and the level of environmental damage in the area.

According to NAIMOS, the patrol revealed extensive illegal mining along river systems within the forest reserve, resulting in significant degradation at several locations.

The Secretariat noted that the terrain was steep, rugged and difficult for conventional vehicles to access, with movement in many areas largely limited to foot, motorbikes and tricycles.

Equipment destroyed

Although no arrests were made during the reconnaissance patrol, the Task Force destroyed 15 makeshift structures and 11 water-pumping machines used to support illegal mining operations.

“Information from local sources also suggested that many illegal miners may be operating in the forest reserve, underscoring the scale and persistence of illegal mining in the area,” the statement said.

NAIMOS said it has commenced further inquiries into both the illegal mining operations and the circumstances surrounding the violent confrontation.

Operations to intensify

The Secretariat assured the public that it would continue to intensify operations within the Atiwa Forest Reserve and surrounding areas to disrupt illegal mining activities, protect water bodies and prevent further environmental degradation.