Two Chinese Nationals Arrested in Dawn Galamsey Raid Along Dankai River

Two Chinese nationals have been arrested by a joint anti-illegal mining task force during a dawn operation targeting organised illegal mining (galamsey) activities along the Dankai River corridor at Sanfo Adiam in the Amansie East District of the Ashanti Region.

The operation, carried out between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026, was led by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) following credible intelligence on illegal mining activities along the river.

Officials said the task force mobilised from the Manso Adubia operational base in the early hours of the morning, using the cover of darkness and the element of surprise to intercept the illegal miners before they could escape.

Upon arrival, operatives found several individuals actively engaged in mining activities along the Dankai River. However, some Ghanaian operators spotted at a distance fled into nearby bushes, with one reportedly seen carrying a pump-action shotgun.

Two Chinese nationals who attempted to escape were pursued and arrested. They have been identified as Lu Honggeng, 53, and Nong Zisun, 41.

The suspects have since been transferred to the NAIMOS Secretariat in Accra for further investigation and possible handover to the Ghana Immigration Service.

Authorities described the level of environmental destruction at the site as alarming, noting that illegal miners had blocked and diverted sections of the Dankai River into an artificial dam to facilitate their operations.

NAIMOS condemned the act, describing it as a “serious assault on the hydrological integrity of the river” and a threat to communities that depend on it downstream.

The task force also raised concerns over increasing security risks at illegal mining sites, citing the presence of an armed suspect as evidence of growing danger.

“The presence of a pump-action firearm in the hands of one of the fleeing operators further reaffirms the hardening security profile of illegal mining sites,” NAIMOS stated.

The Secretariat confirmed that the illegal damming and diversion of the river had been disrupted and assured the public of continued operations in the Amansie East area and other affected zones to restore degraded water bodies.

It further warned illegal miners to desist from destroying forests and polluting rivers across the country.