NAIMOS Arrests Two Chinese Nationals for Illegal Mining at Pankese in Birim North
A taskforce of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), deployed in the Eastern Region, has arrested two Chinese nationals for engaging in active illegal mining at Pankese in the Birim North District.
The arrests were carried out on Saturday, 3 December 2026, at about 9:45 a.m. The suspects were identified as Li Yongjin and Nou Chin Haw, both of whom were found operating illegally at the mining site.
According to NAIMOS, the activities of the two foreign illegal miners caused extensive damage to forest reserves and cocoa farmlands in the area, while also severely polluting nearby water bodies, including the Birim River.
During the operation, the taskforce immobilised two excavators being used at the site by removing their monitors and control boards, rendering the machines inoperable. This action was taken due to the immediate unavailability of lowbed trucks to evacuate the equipment.
The team also destroyed several items of illegal mining equipment and burnt makeshift structures erected to facilitate the unlawful activities.
In addition, a Toyota Tundra pickup truck, with registration number AS 8120–20, found at the site and allegedly used by the suspects, was seized.
NAIMOS says the suspects will be processed in accordance with the law as efforts to clamp down on illegal mining continue across the country.
