Twelve arrested for illegal mining that destroyed 3km of Takoradi

Twelve persons have been arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities that caused extensive damage to a section of the Takoradi-Akyem-Nsuta railway line in the Western Region.

The suspects were apprehended on Monday, October 6, 2025, during a joint security operation led by the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, alongside officers from National Security, according to Graphic Online’s Western Regional correspondent, Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu.

Authorities said the illegal miners were caught in the act when the team stormed the site near Akyem, in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, where they had dug deep pits beneath the active rail line, rendering about three kilometres of the 60-kilometre stretch unsafe.

The destruction has crippled operations of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL), forcing a suspension of its manganese haulage and other transport services. Officials estimate that it could cost at least $18 million to repair the damage.

Extent of Destruction

The devastation, first discovered last week, shows portions of the rail track hanging precariously over open pits, while others have been buried under mounds of sand. The degraded area poses a serious safety hazard and underscores the growing threat of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

The Deputy Chief Civil Engineer of GRCL, Emmanuel Aggudey, described the damage as catastrophic, noting that the miners had taken advantage of the company’s temporary suspension of operations earlier this year to carry out their activities unchecked.

“Within these few months of maintenance and financial constraints, the galamseyers invaded our lines and destroyed a long stretch of active track, completely paralyzing our operations,” Mr. Aggudey said.

He revealed that the company had earlier petitioned the Ministry of Railways Development and local chiefs in the Akyem area to intervene, but despite assurances, the miners continued operating “with brazen impunity, day and night.”

Community Complicity and Technique Used

Sources close to the investigation allege that the miners secured land access from some local traditional authorities, including portions of the railway’s right of way and buffer zones.

The illegal miners reportedly used a destructive technique locally referred to as “one leg”—a combination of high-pressure water pumps and excavators that rapidly erode the land in search of gold-bearing soil. Experts say this method causes faster and deeper degradation than conventional excavator mining.

Economic Setback

Mr. Aggudey lamented that the illegal mining has not only destroyed national infrastructure but also dealt a heavy blow to the economy.

“The manganese haulage operation was one of Ghana’s most vital industrial contributions. Now, not only are we grounded, but the cost of repairing the rolling stock and rail lines has quadrupled,” he said, adding that the company’s finances remain dire, with salary arrears compounding the crisis.

Security and Government Response

The arrested suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to identify their financiers and collaborators. Security sources have also hinted at the possible involvement of local power brokers who allegedly benefit from the illegal operations.

Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson condemned the incident, describing it as “an attack on Ghana’s economic infrastructure and environmental safety.”

He assured that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) would intensify operations to flush out remaining illegal miners along the railway corridor and restore order.

“This will not be treated as an isolated case. The state will reclaim the land, rebuild the line, and hold every accomplice accountable,” he stressed.

The Ghana Railway Company has since begun working with security agencies to secure the damaged stretch and prevent further encroachment as repair plans are drawn up.