Two Chinese nationals involved in active illegal mining (galamsey) activities at Prankese in the Birim North area were arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force deployed in the Eastern Region.
The suspects have been identified as Li Yongjin and Nou Chin Haw. They were apprehended at about 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2026.
In a statement, the NAIMOS Taskforce stated that the illegal operations carried out by the two foreign nationals had resulted in the extensive destruction of forest reserves and cocoa farmlands, as well as severe pollution of nearby water bodies, including the Birim River.
During the operation, the task force immobilised two excavators being used for the illegal mining by removing their monitors and control boards, rendering the machines inoperable.
This action was taken due to the unavailability of lowbed trucks to transport the equipment at the time.
The team also seized a Toyota Tundra pickup truck, with registration number AS 8120–20, which was found at the site and allegedly used by the suspects in their illegal mining activities.
Galamsey has long posed significant challenges to the country’s environmental and socio-economic stability.
In recent years, the increasing involvement of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese miners, has drawn considerable public attention and concern.
Water bodies such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin rivers have become heavily polluted with mercury and other toxic chemicals used in gold extraction, threatening aquatic life and the health of communities that rely on these rivers for drinking water and agriculture.
