The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested two Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining activities at Pankese in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.
The suspects, identified as Li Yongjin and Nou Chin Haw, were arrested on Saturday, January 3, 2026, during an operation by a task force deployed to the area.
According to NAIMOS, the two foreign nationals were caught actively mining illegally, an activity that has resulted in extensive destruction of forest cover and cocoa farmlands within the community.
The operations have also severely polluted local water bodies, including sections of the Birim River.
The task force immobilised two excavators found at the site by removing their monitors and control boards, rendering the machines inoperable.
NAIMOS explained that the action was taken due to the immediate unavailability of lowbed services to transport the heavy equipment.
The team further destroyed several illegal mining pieces of equipment and installations at the site and burnt makeshift structures that had been erected to support the illegal mining activities.
A Toyota Tundra pickup truck with registration number AS 8120–20, which was found at the site and allegedly used by the suspects, was seized.