A sustained police operation targeting illegal mining activities—commonly referred to as galamsey—has intensified in the Samreboi Forest and along the Tano River, with authorities confirming the arrest of 47 individuals in the latest crackdown.
Now in its fourth day, the raid has resulted in the apprehension of 21 additional illegal miners from Tano Nimri and surrounding areas along the Tano River.
This brings the total number of suspects arrested to 47.
Among them are 39 Ghanaians and eight Chinese nationals, including four Ghanaian women believed to be linked to the operations.
Police sources say the first batch of 26 suspects has already been transported to Accra, where they are expected to face prosecution.
In addition to the arrests, security forces have confiscated a substantial amount of heavy-duty machinery used in illicit mining operations.
So far, 17 excavators and one bulldozer have been seized from various illegal mining sites hidden within the Samreboi forests and along the ecologically sensitive Tano River.
This operation forms part of the government’s broader crackdown on illegal mining, which has caused widespread environmental destruction across Ghana, particularly in forest reserves and river bodies.
The Tano River, a critical source of water for communities in the Western and Ahafo regions, has been heavily polluted in recent years due to unregulated mining activities.
The Samreboi enclave, rich in natural resources, has also been a hotspot for illegal gold mining, raising alarms among environmentalists and local leaders.
The current wave of enforcement follows renewed directives from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and support from the Ghana Police Service, Forestry Commission, and other allied security agencies.
Authorities say the operation is ongoing and that further arrests and equipment seizures are expected in the coming days.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
