Ten suspected illegal miners have been arrested during a joint security operation at Kpali, near Gbinyiri, in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region.
The operation was conducted between August 25 and 27, 2026, by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Ghana Army’s Northern Command and the Ghana Police Service.
The exercise followed a reconnaissance operation conducted on August 19, which reportedly confirmed intelligence on illegal mining activities at the site.
The suspects comprise three Chinese nationals and seven Ghanaians, who were allegedly found actively engaged in illegal mining.
Security personnel also uncovered extensive environmental damage at the mining site.
Among the items seized were two excavators, three excavator monitors, a Toyota Hilux vehicle, a fuel bowser and other mining equipment.
The operation also led to the recovery of three firearms and 25 rounds of live ammunition.
As part of efforts to prevent the suspects or other illegal miners from returning to the area, the task force dismantled 15 makeshift structures and destroyed a generator found at the site.
The suspects and all seized exhibits have since been handed over to the Savannah Regional Police Command in Damongo for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The heavy-duty mining equipment has also been transported to designated holding facilities.
NAIMOS said the operation forms part of its ongoing collaboration with the security agencies to combat illegal mining and protect the environment and water bodies from further destruction.
The Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service and other relevant institutions to disrupt illegal mining activities across the Savannah Region.
