The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, arresting suspects and seizing a range of equipment during intelligence-led operations across six mining-endemic regions.
The operations were conducted from July 27 to August 2, 2026, covering the Western North, Western, Ashanti, Ahafo, Savannah and Eastern Regions.
According to the NAIMOS weekly report, operations focused on major river bodies, forest reserves and reclaimed mining sites affected by illegal mining activities.
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The task force concentrated its activities along the Ankobra, Bia, Torya, Tano and Butre rivers, as well as forest and riverine areas around Enchi. Operations were also conducted at reclaimed mining sites in the Desire Forest Reserve, the Birim River and the Tepa-Goaso District.
NAIMOS said the intelligence-led joint operations resulted in the seizure and destruction of significant quantities of logistics used by illegal miners.
On July 29, 2026, NAIMOS personnel arrested eight suspects at Sikaniasem in connection with suspected illegal mining activities.
The suspects were identified as Luo Xiaoqiang, 47, and Fuxue Qiang, 48, both Chinese nationals, and six Ghanaians: Lushao Adam, 29; Razak Alhassan, 24; Abdul Majeed Dauda, 26; Bilal Yakubu, 18; Mangel Yankey, 19; and Iddrisu Alhassan, 26.
During the operation, the task force seized one excavator, a Toyota Land Cruiser, an excavator monitor, a generator, three motorbikes, nine water pumps and a single-barrel 12-gauge shortgun.
The troops also destroyed 14 water pumps, seven chanfang machines, four generators and five makeshift structures allegedly used to support illegal mining activities.
NAIMOS said its task force subsequently conducted extensive reconnaissance operations at Dadieso, Sefwi Ahibenso, Sefwi Dwenase, Kramokrom, Adjakaa, KKB Village and surrounding cocoa farms.
The patrols generated intelligence on planned illegal mining operations and confirmed evidence of prospecting and test excavations.
The task force also identified suspected financiers and collaborators allegedly supporting illegal mining operations.
However, NAIMOS said community members were generally reluctant to provide information because of fears of intimidation and reprisals from illegal miners.
The Secretariat said its operations also exposed individuals it identified as financiers allegedly linked to the destruction caused by illegal mining. They include Nana Osei Bonsu, Ezana Kasei Awudu and Emmanuel Amoah.
The allegations against the named individuals have not been independently tested in court.
In the Western Region, the task force conducted operations in Tarkwa Nsuaem, Mpohor and Ellembelle on July 29.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 19 Ghanaian suspects, who were subsequently handed over to the Esiama Police Station for further investigations.
NAIMOS said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal mining networks, protect water bodies and forest reserves, and prevent further destruction of Ghana’s natural resources.
The latest operation underscores the government’s continued reliance on intelligence-led enforcement to tackle illegal mining and the networks supporting it.