A joint anti-illegal mining task force has arrested two Chinese nationals during an early morning operation targeting illegal mining activities along the Dankai River corridor at Sanfo Adiam in the Amansie East area.
The operation was carried out by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026, following intelligence reports about ongoing galamsey activities in the area.
According to officials, the task force deployed from its Manso Adubia operational base before dawn to surprise the miners before they could flee the site.
The team reportedly found several individuals actively mining along the river upon arrival. Authorities said some Ghanaian suspects escaped into nearby bushes after spotting the security personnel, including one individual who was allegedly carrying a pump-action firearm.
Two Chinese nationals who reportedly attempted to flee were chased and arrested. They were identified as Lu Honggeng and Nong Zisun.
NAIMOS disclosed that the suspects have been transported to Accra for further investigations and subsequent handover to the Ghana Immigration Service.
The Secretariat described the environmental damage at the site as severe, alleging that illegal miners had blocked and redirected portions of the Dankai River into an artificial dam to support mining activities.
Officials warned that the destruction posed a major threat to the river’s natural flow and to downstream communities that rely on the water source.
NAIMOS also raised concerns about increasing security threats linked to illegal mining operations, particularly after reports that one fleeing suspect was armed.
The agency assured the public that operations against illegal mining would continue in the Amansie East enclave and other affected areas as part of efforts to restore polluted rivers and degraded lands nationwide.
Source: citinews
