The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has carried out a major operation in the Eastern Region, disrupting several illegal mining sites and destroying equipment used in the activities. The exercise, which led to the arrest of some foreign nationals, signals a renewed and tougher stance against galamsey, which has continued to threaten rivers, farmlands, and local communities.
The operations, conducted between January 16 and 17, 2026, have significantly altered illegal mining activities along the River Birim basin and nearby areas. On Friday, January 16, a joint task force made up of NAIMOS operatives and the Blue Water Guards stormed Apoli Beposo in the Akyim Oda Swedru District. At the River Birim site, the team found miners working directly in the water. Upon seeing the operatives, the miners fled, swimming across the river to escape.
The task force retrieved four chanfang machines and destroyed them on the riverbank, effectively halting the pollution of the river and offering temporary relief to farmers and residents affected by water contamination.
Later that same day, the team moved to another illegal mining site at Apoli, where three Chinese nationals — Yug Rucheng, Qin Can, and Yang G. Lane — were arrested. A blue Zonda vehicle was seized, and all makeshift structures at the site were demolished. The suspects were later escorted to Accra under heavy security for further investigations.
On Saturday morning, the task force turned its attention to Nyafoman in the Birim North Municipality, a location known for dangerous mining practices. Although most of the miners fled before they could be arrested, the operation led to the destruction of several chanfang machines, makeshift structures, and other equipment.
Investigations revealed that many of the miners operating at the site were foreign nationals, mainly Burkinabe, who were using hazardous chemicals such as cyanide to extract gold, posing serious environmental and public health risks. The task force noted that the area would require continuous patrols to prevent illegal mining activities from resurfacing.
NAIMOS is also considering the permanent deployment of its field operatives to key hotspots across the Eastern Region to ensure that the gains made are sustained and that illegal mining does not return to the River Birim and surrounding communities.
The latest crackdown reflects a shift in NAIMOS’ strategy, combining intelligence-led operations, rapid response, and sustained presence to make illegal mining a high-risk and unprofitable venture while safeguarding the environment and the livelihoods of local residents.
