The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) intensified its crackdown on unlawful mining activities along the Birim River, arresting five Chinese nationals on Monday, December 29, 2025.
The operation, carried out at Akyem Oda in the Birim Central Municipality around 1:40 pm, targeted multiple illegal mining sites where offenders were reportedly mining and washing soil directly into the river, contributing to environmental degradation.
During the raid, NAIMOS authorities seized two excavators, a Toyota Hilux, and a Toyota Land Cruiser used by the suspects. Makeshift structures, water pumps, and other mining equipment found on site were dismantled or destroyed to prevent further illicit operations.
A spokesperson for NAIMOS emphasized that the agency is stepping up enforcement along major water bodies during the festive season to curb pollution and protect Ghana’s waterways.
The arrested individuals remain in custody as investigations continue, with authorities signaling zero tolerance for illegal mining in environmentally sensitive areas.
