A combined team of security personnel from the Operation Halt II task force conducted an enforcement exercise targeting illegal mining sites in the Eastern Region. A 3News report states that 12 foreign nationals were apprehended during the sweep while they were allegedly operating heavy machinery in prohibited areas near the Pra River. The identities and nationalities of the suspects remain under verification by the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana Police Service.
According to preliminary details provided by military sources to Citi Newsroom the operation resulted in the seizure and decommissioning of several pieces of earth moving equipment. Officers reported finding excavators and industrial pumps being used to wash gold ore directly into river bodies. These activities are prohibited under the Minerals and Mining Act as they contribute to the significant siltation and pollution of major water sources in Ghana.
A report from GhanaWeb indicates that the task force destroyed several temporary structures used as living quarters by the suspected illegal miners. This action follows a directive from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to intensify patrols along the Birim and Pra river basins where illegal mining persists. The Ministry has not yet released an official statement regarding the specific value of the seized equipment or the timeline for the suspects to appear in court.
The suspects are currently being held at a regional police facility for interrogation. Legal representatives for the accused have not yet been identified in public filings. Police officials told local media that the foreign nationals will face charges related to mining without a license and entering the country for illegal purposes. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.