The Director of Operations at the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Col. Dominic Buah, says a majority of arrests made in the fight against illegal mining involve foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens, raising concerns about security and environmental destruction.
Speaking at the NAIMOS Editors’ Forum and quarterly press briefing held in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, Col. Buah disclosed that most individuals apprehended in galamsey operations are foreigners, with Chinese nationals forming a significant number.
“I talked about arrests, and the majority of them are Chinese,” he revealed.
He noted that even the Chinese Ambassador has expressed concern over the involvement of his nationals in illegal mining activities in Ghana.
“I must say that the Chinese Ambassador is also alarmed at the scale of involvement. These individuals do not pass through his hands,” he stated.
Col. Buah warned that the activities of these illegal miners are having devastating effects on the country’s natural resources.
“These are the people who are destroying our lands, forests, and water bodies. We need to watch that space very carefully,” he cautioned.
He also highlighted the arrest of other foreign nationals, including a group of Nigerians picked up during an operation in Osino.
“At Osino, in one night, we arrested 32 Nigerians. We often gloss over the security implications, but this is a significant risk,” he said.
According to him, NAIMOS is working closely with national security agencies to verify the status of all foreign nationals arrested during operations.
“In collaboration with national security, we are identifying the status of these individuals whenever they are arrested. There is a clear protocol,” he explained.
He outlined that foreign suspects are processed through NAIMOS and subsequently handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further action.
“For foreigners, they are processed through NAIMOS and handed over to immigration, where the enforcement unit takes over. Some go through trial, while others are deported,” he noted.
Col. Buah added that in cases involving Chinese nationals where evidence may be limited, authorities engage the Chinese Embassy, which often leads to blacklisting of the individuals.
“Through the Chinese Embassy, they are reported, and once that is done formally, they are blacklisted and cannot return,” he said.
He cited a case involving a suspect who attempted to evade arrest but was later tracked and deported.
“One of them attempted to escape with a large sum of money, but we trailed him, brought him back, and he has been returned to China. We are still keeping an eye on him,” he disclosed.
Col. Buah assured that NAIMOS will continue to provide regular updates on its operations, including arrests and seizures, stressing that accountability remains central to the fight against illegal mining.
“Accountability is key in this fight. We will continue to make our data on arrests and seizures available on a regular basis,” he affirmed.
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