The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 11 suspected illegal miners during separate operations in the Western and Eastern regions.
According to Adom Online, the operations on 29 October 2026 targeted the Cape Three Points Forest in the Ahanta West Municipality, Abrokyire-Krobo in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality and the Apapam-Asikem area in the Abuakwa South Municipality.
At Cape Three Points Forest, the task force arrested 4 suspects and destroyed 7 chanfang machines, 11 water pumps and 4 makeshift structures across 2 sites. Two excavators were found at the second site with their monitors removed, and a key component was recovered from one of them.
At Abrokyire-Krobo, the operators reportedly fled before the team arrived. NAIMOS destroyed 5 chanfang machines, 5 water pumps, 7 generator plants and 2 structures, and said there were signs mining had resumed at previously cleared sites.
In the Eastern Region, 7 suspects were arrested at Apapam-Asikem during an operation along the Birim River and its tributaries and areas bordering the Atiwa Forest Reserve, where 2 chanfang machines, 3 water pumps and 3 structures were destroyed.
NAIMOS said cleared sites would remain under surveillance. The suspects have not been named, and it was not reported whether any have been charged. They remain presumed innocent.