The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Task Force has arrested two Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Jomoro area of the Western North Region.
The arrests were made during an intelligence-led operation conducted on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
According to NAIMOS, the Task Force initially faced resistance from some forest guards who denied them access to the area. However, they gained entry after a brief standoff and discovered active illegal mining operations along the Tano River. A Toyota Land Cruiser V8 with registration number GR 442-14 was seen fleeing the site.
Two Chinese nationals were apprehended, while a third suspect—believed to be Ghanaian—escaped.
Once inside, the Task Force uncovered significant environmental degradation, including the diversion of the Tano River. Four excavators were found at the site, three of which had already been immobilised, with the fourth neutralised by the Task Force. Two heavy-duty water pumping machines and twelve makeshift wooden structures used by the miners were also destroyed.
Items recovered from the site include a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, GH₵10,050 in cash, two mobile phones, packs of cigarettes, lighters, a high-frequency radio, a flashlight, a drum of fuel, a monitor, and a control board.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were operating under the cover of the Jomoro Community Mining Project.
There are allegations that the Chief of Jomoro, Nana Kwame Nkansah, may have issued the concession to the Chinese miners. NAIMOS believes the arrested individuals were not only mining illegally but also sponsoring and supplying local miners with equipment and financial support.
The two suspects have been transferred to NAIMOS Headquarters in Accra for further investigation and prosecution.
In a related operation, the Task Force visited a site operated by Bugart Mining along the Kwama stream in Essipong, Asankrangwua. The site, which lies close to a major road, was found to be employing several foreign nationals suspected to be from Burkina Faso. Although the site owner claimed to hold a valid small-scale mining licence issued in 2012, the Task Force raised concerns about the presence of foreign workers.
The owner has been instructed to report to the NAIMOS Headquarters on Thursday, October 9, along with all foreign workers for verification. A CAT excavator at the site was immobilised pending further investigation.
NAIMOS has issued a strong warning to all foreign nationals and their local collaborators involved in illegal mining. The Secretariat stressed its commitment to arresting and prosecuting anyone found operating illegally within Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies. The public is urged to report suspicious mining activities to the authorities.
 Task Force has arrested two Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Jomoro area of the Western North Region.){kind=link}