The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 28 suspected illegal mining operators during an enforcement operation at Akango in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
NAIMOS said its task force initially detained about 195 people as personnel moved to secure the site, where mining had extended close to a public road.
After preliminary screening, 28 people identified as suspected foremen and machine owners were arrested and handed over to the Axim Police Station for further investigation.
The task force destroyed 29 chanfang machines, 37 water pumps, 5 motorbikes and a tricycle found at the site. Miners were directed to remove their belongings before the equipment was destroyed.
NAIMOS said it would sustain intelligence-led patrols and follow-up operations in the Nzema East area to stop cleared sites being reoccupied, and would pursue financiers and equipment owners behind illegal mining.
The arrested suspects have not been named and no charges have been reported. They remain presumed innocent.