NAIMOS arrests Chinese and Burkinabè nationals in illegal mining crackdown

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested two Chinese nationals and intercepted several Burkinabè workers during coordinated anti-galamsey operations in the Western North and Western Regions.

The arrests took place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, following intelligence reports of illegal mining activities within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in Jomoro.

According to officials, access to the forest was initially obstructed by some Forest Guards, but operatives later gained entry, where they uncovered an active mining site along the Tano River.

During the operation, a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 attempted to escape the scene, but two Chinese nationals on board were apprehended. A third suspect managed to flee.

The Task Force discovered four excavators, three of which had already been immobilised, while the fourth was disabled during the raid.

Evidence of river diversion, two high-powered water pumps, and 12 makeshift mining camps were also found and destroyed.

Other items retrieved included GH¢10,050 in cash, mobile phones, two-way radios, fuel drums, and control panels.

NAIMOS confirmed that the arrested Chinese nationals had been transferred to Accra for further investigations.

Preliminary reports indicate that the suspects had been operating under the guise of a community mining project allegedly sanctioned by Nana Kwame Nkansah, the local chief of Jomoro. Authorities believe the two acted as financiers, providing funding and logistics to support illegal mining in the area.

In a statement, NAIMOS cautioned that it would continue to take firm action against both local and foreign sponsors of galamsey, stressing that “no one will be spared if found complicit.”

Meanwhile, in a related operation at Essipong near Asankrangwa in the Western Region, NAIMOS operatives visited Bugart Mining, where Burkinabè nationals were found working at a site close to the Kwama stream and a major road.

Although the company’s representatives claimed to possess a valid licence issued in 2012, officials questioned the legality of employing foreign workers without proper documentation.

A CAT excavator was immobilised on-site, and the company was directed to report to the NAIMOS headquarters in Accra on Thursday, October 9, along with all the Burkinabè workers for verification and further investigation.

Source: adomonline.com