NAIMOS, National Security Seize 9 Excavators At Obuasi Airport Over Illegal Mining

A joint security taskforce in the Ashanti Region has seized 9 excavators at Obuasi Airport following an operation against illegal mining on degraded lands.

The team comprised officials from National Security, NADMO, Minerals Development Fund, and the Logistics Ecoreclaim Initiative under the Regional Reclamation Committee on Monday July 27,2025 inspected portions of degraded land at Obuasi Airport in the Obuasi Municipality.

Alhaji Abdullah Umaru Nje, Deputy Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, who led the team, said the operation was part of efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.

He noted that the 9 excavators were found to be actively engaged in illegal mining activities on the land.

He added that the taskforce will not relent in its efforts to reclaim vast lands destroyed by illegal miners.

Alhaji however urged licensed small-scale miners to visit their respective Municipal and District Assemblies to obtain reclamation permit forms.

He said this will support the reclamation exercise and help secure the small-scale mining sector.

Responding to the exercise, the MCE for Obuasi municipal, Hon Faustilove Appiah Kannin, suggested to the ministry of lands and natural resources to consider using a portion of the lands to establish corporate mining to help create jobs for the youth and provide a regulated alternative to illegal mining in the area.

She reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to work with national Security, NAIMOS and other stakeholders to reclaim degraded lands and sanitize the small scale mining sector in Obuasi.

Reported by Joseph Amoateng, Obuasi