NAIMOS cracks down on foreign nationals, arresting several in illegal mining

The  task force of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested two Chinese nationals and detained a lot of Burkinabé workers uin separate anti-galamsey operations in the Western North and Western Regions.

On Wednesday, 8 October 2025, the Task Force of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) broke into the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in Jomoro. This was revealed through the information gathered.

Access took a bit longer than expected by Forest Guards, but the team had to force their way into the reserve, where they discovered an active mining site.

A Toyota Land Cruiser V8 tried to flee, but two Chinese nationals on board were caught. A third suspect successfully escaped. Four excavators were found where three of which had already been disabled, while the fourth was put out of action the on-site. Investigators also found an evidence of river diversion, 2 high-powered water pump, and 12 makeshift mining structures, all were completely destroyed.

A lot of items was seized, including radio communication equipment, cash amounting to GH¢10,050, fuel drums, mobile phones, and control boards. The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has moved the two Chinese suspects to its headquarters in Accra for further investigation.

The arrested Chinese nationals had been operating using Jomoro as a cover under the Community Mining Project. As per the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the pair are suspected to be the financial backers of the galamsey in the area, providing operational and financial support for  illegal miners.

The Task Force of the  National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) cautioned that “National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)  will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any foreign nationals or local sponsors found to be aiding or engaging in galamsey.”

A CAT excavator was disabled, and National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) ordered the owners to appear at its Accra headquarters on Thursday, 9 October, with all Burkinabè workers to confirm their identity.

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