Three Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining along Birim river
By Rebecca Okine
Three Chinese nationals have been arrested for engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, along the Birim River in the Kwaebibirim Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The operation, carried out by the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) in collaboration with the anti-galamsey task force, led to the seizure of two heavy-duty excavators used in the destruction of the river.
The raid occurred at Akyem Abaam, near Akyem Kade, and was supervised by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Emmanuel Kofi Nti, together with the Municipal Police Commander, ASP Barlekor Bernard.
Mr Nti confirmed that some Ghanaian collaborators managed to escape arrest but assured the public that security personnel are pursuing them.
“I am cautioning illegal miners operating within forest reserves and on water bodies in the municipality to immediately pack out, as the team will stop at nothing to get them arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.
The arrest comes amid growing national concern about the health and environmental dangers of galamsey.
The Ghana Health Service has linked the practice to the contamination of major rivers with toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide.
A UNICEF report in 2024 revealed that more than 60 per cent of Ghana’s water bodies are polluted, with the Birim River identified as one of the most severely affected.
Under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), non-Ghanaians convicted of illegal mining face a minimum prison sentence of 20 years and fines of up to 350,000 penalty units. Equipment used in the crime is also subject to forfeiture.
The confiscation of the two excavators adds to over 400 seized nationwide since the beginning of 2025, underscoring the government’s ongoing crackdown on galamsey.
