Weapons, GHC60,000 seized as NAIMOS busts Chinese illegal mining camp

According to NAIMOS, the task force initially arrested one suspect at the mining site in the early hours of the operation. He was later compelled to lead officers to a nearby residence, where five additional suspects were arrested.

Authorities say the follow-up search uncovered weapons and cash, raising concerns that the group may have been operating as an organised and armed illegal mining network rather than a purely environmental offence.

At the site, officials observed extensive environmental destruction, including degraded farmlands and damaged sections of the river system. Two excavators were immobilised, while a metallic gold-washing platform, makeshift structures, water pumps, hoses, and a locally fabricated processing setup were destroyed.

NAIMOS also noted that a wooden washing platform and a tricycle (locally known as “aboboyaa”) were seized during the operation.

All suspects and seized items have been transferred to NAIMOS headquarters for investigation, while the six foreign nationals have been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further action.

Ghanaian law prohibits foreigners from engaging in small-scale mining activities, particularly illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves. NAIMOS described the operation as part of ongoing nationwide efforts to dismantle illegal mining networks and protect water bodies and forest reserves from further degradation.

The Secretariat has pledged to intensify surprise operations across illegal mining hotspots nationwide.