The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Birim Central Municipal Security Council, on Friday, January 16, apprehended five Chinese nationals, including a woman, for engaging in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey along the Birim River.

The suspects were reportedly polluting the river with their mining activities when the security team intervened. NAIMOS officials described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to curb environmental degradation caused by unauthorized mining in the region.
During the operation, the security team destroyed several pieces of mining equipment, including a changfan used by the suspects to extract minerals, as a deterrent against future illegal activities.

The arrests demonstrate a commitment to enforcing mining regulations, protecting natural resources, and safeguarding the communities that rely on the Birim River for their livelihoods.