The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has arrested two Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining activities within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Jomoro area of the Western North Region.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
According to NAIMOS, the Task Force was initially denied access to the forest by some forest guards but managed to gain entry after a brief standoff.
Once inside, the team discovered ongoing illegal mining activities along the Tano River, where a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 with registration number GR 442-14 was seen fleeing the scene.
Two Chinese nationals were apprehended, while a third suspect—believed to be a Ghanaian—escaped.
The Task Force uncovered extensive environmental destruction, including diversion of the Tano River. Four excavators were found at the site—three already immobilized and one neutralized by the Task Force.
Additionally, two heavy-water pumping machines and twelve makeshift wooden structures used by the miners were also destroyed.
Items seized during the operation include:
- Toyota Land Cruiser V8 (GR 442-14)
- Cash amounting to GH₵10,050
- Two mobile phones (iPhone and Huawei)
- Three packs of cigarettes, two lighters
- One HF radio, one touchlight
- One drum of fuel, one monitor, and one control board
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects were operating under the guise of the Jomoro Community Mining Project. Sources allege that the Chief of Jomoro, Kwame Nana Nkansah, may have issued the concession to the Chinese miners.
NAIMOS further suspects that the arrested foreigners were sponsoring illegal mining operations in the area, providing financial and logistical support to local miners.
The two Chinese nationals have since been transferred to the NAIMOS Headquarters in Accra for further investigation and prosecution.
In a related development, the NAIMOS Task Force, during an operation in Essipong, Asankrangwua, visited a site operated by Bugart Mining along the Kwama stream. The site, located close to a major road, was found to have several foreign workers believed to be from Burkina Faso.
The site owner claimed the company had a valid small-scale mining license acquired in 2012. However, the Task Force expressed suspicion over the foreign nationals’ presence and instructed the owner to appear at NAIMOS Headquarters on Thursday, October 9, 2025, along with all Burkinabe workers for verification.
A CAT excavator found at the site was immobilized pending further investigation.
The Secretariat has warned all foreign nationals against engaging in illegal mining in Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies. It emphasized that anyone—local or foreign—found sponsoring, aiding, or participating in galamsey activities will face arrest and prosecution.
“NAIMOS will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in illegal mining operations. We call on the public to report any suspicious mining activities to the authorities,” the statement added.
Source: Citinewsroom
