NAIMOS arrests 10 suspected illegal miners in Black Volta operation

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, has arrested 10 suspected illegal miners at Kpali, near Gbinyiri, in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region.

The operation, conducted from August 25 to 27, 2026, targeted illegal mining activities along the Black Volta corridor, an important water resource threatened by mining-related land degradation and pollution.

The suspects comprise three Chinese nationals and seven Ghanaians. Authorities also seized two excavators, three excavator monitors, a Toyota Hilux, a fuel bowser containing diesel, a generator and other mining equipment.

The joint task force further recovered three firearms, 25 live cartridges, nine communication radios and 12 mobile phones, together with cash in Ghanaian and foreign currencies.

Fifteen makeshift structures and a generator at the mining site were destroyed during the operation.

NAIMOS said the action followed a reconnaissance mission on August 19, which confirmed reports of illegal mining in the area.

The arrested suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Savannah Regional Police Command in Damongo for further investigation and legal action, while the seized heavy equipment has been secured at designated holding sites.

NAIMOS said it will continue operations with security agencies to dismantle illegal mining activities and protect the Black Volta and surrounding catchment from further environmental degradation.