Six Chinese nationals have been arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for engaging in illegal mining activities in the Ahafo Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region.

The individuals have been accused of unlawfully mining along the Nyaase River, a tributary of the Tano River, at Kunsu Gyaenkontabuo in the Ahafo Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region.

The arrest, which took place on Saturday, 18 April, led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, one hundred and two cartridges, a vehicle, and sixty thousand (60,000) Ghana cedis in cash.

Several Chinese nationals have been involved in such illegal operations, leading to multiple arrests.

Last week, seven individuals, including four and three Ghanaians, were arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat for their involvement in illegal mining activities along the Boin River at Boinso–Abrokyire in the Aowin District of the Western North Region.

The four Chinese nationals have been identified as Lu Weiykng (born March 17, 1982), Zhou Xuanbai (born May 15, 1986), Tan Zhongqiang (born February 25, 1973), and Zhu Jiping (born March 4, 1975). The three Ghanaian suspects are David Done, 32, from Bolgatanga; Santos Adaboo, 26, from Zibilla; and Naya Sampana, 44, also from Bolgatanga.

The NAIMOS team made the arrests on Saturday, April 11, acting on intelligence. Three pump-action guns and other equipment linked to illegal mining activities have been retrieved by the NAIMOS team.

Last year, a series of raids conducted by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) on Saturday, January 17, halted the operations of illegal miners along the Kumasi–Sunyani Highway.

The exercise, which began from Bronikrom, close to Mankraso, through to Adugyama, saw illegal miners fleeing the scene upon seeing the operatives and leaving behind their merchandise.

The operation led to the destruction of water hoses, makeshift structures, 1 Chanfang, 8 tricycles, 14 motors, 2 heavy-duty grinders, 2 heavy-duty water pumping machines, and a metallic gold washing platform.

Other items seized included 2 excavator batteries, 1 drum of diesel fuel, 1 excavator monitor, 4 cartridges of pump-action gun, a wooden gold washing platform, 5 water jumping machines, and a box of assorted tools.

Illegal mining activities continue to pose a major challenge to the country.Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that scientific tests are being carried out on new chemicals that could help restore polluted water bodies and rivers affected by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement on galamsey in Accra on Friday, October 3, with members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said,

"There are new chemicals that have come that allow you to treat water and take out the toxins and the heavy metals. One of them is called dowtine. The people came, and we sent them there. They took samples, tested. We are waiting for them to bring the results back."

He has asked Ghanaians to exercise patience regarding the longstanding battle against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. During a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), President Mahama said declaring a state of emergency will not end the menace.

According to him, government advisors believe the country can overcome galamsey by adopting best practices in small-scale mining, including technologies that help neutralize or remove harmful chemicals from water bodies.

Additionally, the President pledged to honor the calls of many Ghanaians by declaring a state of emergency when his advisors give him the nod to do so. President Mahama believes that the country can eradicate the long-term canker if it deploys more troops and invests additional resources in the fight. He concluded that the battle seems to be a long one, but his administration is committed to ending it.

“While we are fighting the menace, I am also saying we should uptake technology in order to protect the environment. So yes, let’s fight the illegal mining but at the same time, let’s bring the new technology that will help us protect our environment.

“Now with the elephant in the room, state of emergency, yes, I have the power to do it, but the president acts on the advice of the National Security Authority, and as at now, this moment, the National Security Authority believes that we can win the fight against galamsey without declaring a state of emergency. I want to assure you that the day they advise me otherwise, that boss, now we need a state of emergency, I won’t hesitate,” he added.