The Media Relations Officer of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, has warned miners against attacking officers of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) during enforcement operations, cautioning that such confrontations could have serious consequences.
He urged miners to cooperate with the officers and comply with their instructions whenever they are engaged during operations.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, November 5, Schandorf said miners who resort to shooting at or attacking NAIMOS personnel risk provoking retaliatory action.
“The miners should have to comply when they are engaged by the NAIMOS. When you start to shoot or attack and they retaliate, the outcome will not be something we will all like,” he warned.
He also disclosed that NAIMOS would extend its enforcement operations against illegal mining to some areas outside Accra as part of efforts to intensify the fight against galamsey.
Although he declined to disclose the specific locations for security reasons, he assured that the operations would continue as authorities step up efforts to tackle illegal mining.
Mr Schandorf clarified, however, that the government was not opposed to mining activities but was concerned about the manner in which some operators conducted their operations.
“We are not against the operating of the galamsey, but the way it is done is what has become worrisome,” he stated.
He reiterated the need for miners to cooperate with enforcement officers, stressing that compliance with their instructions would help prevent unnecessary confrontations during operations.