NAIMOS arrests 40 illegal miners, seizes mining equipment in six regions
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 40 suspects and seized several pieces of equipment in a week-long crackdown on illegal mining activities across six mining-endemic regions of Ghana.
The operations were conducted from Monday, July 27, to Sunday, August 2, 2026, in the Western North, Western, Ashanti, Ahafo, Savannah and Eastern Regions.
According to the NAIMOS Secretariat’s weekly report, the operations focused on areas along the Ankobra, Bia, Torya, Tano and Butre rivers, as well as forest and riverine communities around Enchi, reclaimed mining sites in the Desire Forest Reserve, the Birim River and the Tepa-Goaso District.
The Secretariat said the intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure and destruction of equipment allegedly being used to support illegal mining activities.
On July 29, 2026, NAIMOS personnel arrested eight suspects at Sikaniasem. They included two Chinese nationals, Luo Xiaoqiang, 47, and Fuxue Qiang, 48, as well as six Ghanaians identified as Lushao Adam, 29; Razak Alhassan, 24; Abdul Majeed Dauda, 26; Bilal Yakubu, 18; Mangel Yankey, 19; and Iddrisu Alhassan, 26.
The operation led to the seizure of an excavator, a Toyota Land Cruiser, an excavator monitor, a generator, three motorbikes, nine water pumps and a single-barrel 12-gauge shotgun.
The troops also destroyed 14 water pumps, seven chanfang machines, four generators and five makeshift structures allegedly used in illegal mining operations.
NAIMOS said extensive reconnaissance conducted at Dadieso, Sefwi Ahibenso, Sefwi Dwenase, Kramokrom, Adjakaa, KKB Village and surrounding cocoa farms also generated intelligence on planned illegal mining activities.
The patrols reportedly uncovered evidence of prospecting and test excavations and helped identify potential financiers and collaborators allegedly supporting illegal mining operations.
However, the Secretariat said community members were generally reluctant to provide information because of fears of intimidation and reprisals from illegal miners.
The operations also allegedly exposed individuals suspected of financing illegal mining activities, including Nana Osei Bonsu, Ezana Kasei Awudu and Emmanuel Amoah.
In the Western Region, the Task Force conducted operations in Tarkwa Nsuaem, Mpohor and Ellembelle on July 29, resulting in the arrest of 19 Ghanaian suspects. They were handed over to the Esiama Police Station for further investigations.
Personnel also recovered GH¢120,000 from one of the suspects, identified as Isaac Amponsah.
Other items seized during the operation included an excavator, three excavator control boards, three excavator monitors, an excavator starter, a pump-action shotgun, 19 cartridges and two water pumps.
The Task Force further seized 29 chanfang machines, 26 water pumps and 27 makeshift structures allegedly used to facilitate illegal mining.
On July 30, the operation extended to Asankragua, Breman, Oda, Kwabeng, Samreboi and Kwakukrom in the Wassa Amenfi West District.
Although some suspects fled after spotting the troops, personnel seized seven motorbikes, two water pumps and two batteries from various mining sites. An excavator was also rendered inoperable after its electrical components were removed.
The Task Force subsequently destroyed five chanfang machines, six water pumps and five makeshift structures used in illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, 13 additional suspects were arrested in the Ashanti, Ahafo, Savannah and Eastern Regions and handed over to various police stations for further investigation and enforcement action, bringing the total number of arrests during the reporting period to 40.
In a separate intelligence-led operation at Kadadwen on July 30, personnel seized a Zoomlion excavator, a white Zonda pickup vehicle, two heavy-duty generators, two power display units, two power unit control systems, four heavy-duty batteries, a chainsaw, a drilling machine, a toolbox, a stabiliser, a power cable, electrical switches and buckets of grease.
NAIMOS said the seized excavator and generators were handed over to the Wassa-Simpa Police Station, while the remaining exhibits were deposited at the Western Regional Police Headquarters in Tarkwa to support ongoing investigations.
The Secretariat said the operations form part of its broader efforts to disrupt illegal mining networks, seize equipment used in the destruction of water bodies and forests, and identify the financiers and collaborators behind illegal mining activities.