A total of 18 Changfan machines used for illegal gold mining were destroyed on the first day of the new military operation, dubbed “Operation Halt 2.
” The operation is part of the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey (collection and sale).
In addition to the Changfan machines, the military also destroyed 10 water pumps on Thursday.
They were all found in the Bilim River in the eastern region, where the first day of the operation began.
“Operation Halt 2” is focusing on water in its first phase.
Thursday’s operation began at 8 a.m.
Commander of the task force, Operation Harut 2, Colonel Eric Tenadu, said the operation would continue on Friday but did not say what it would focus on.
Colonel Tenadu said they would cover all water bodies in the country to ensure that the colour of the water changes.
The task force of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) is working with Ghana Armed Forces personnel, consisting of the Navy, Army and Air Force.
Colonel Tenadu said Operation Halt 2 would focus on water bodies and forests where illegal mining activities are taking place, but said the current directives and instructions are to focus on water bodies in the first phase and then on forests in the next phase.
