12 Illegal Miners Arrested at Tarkwa Nsuaem in Anti-Galamsey Crackdown
- Illegal mining is severely affecting the operations of Ghana Rubber Estate Limited, destroying over six hectares of rubber plantations and 2,000 trees
- To address the crisis, Brigadier General Musa Whajah recommended stronger community engagement to raise awareness
- A recent joint operation in Tarkwa Nsuaem led to the arrest of twelve suspects and the destruction of illegal mining equipment
The Ghana Rubber Estate Limited says illegal mining is severely impacting its operations, leading to the destruction of over six hectares of rubber plantations and approximately 2,000 trees, significantly reducing yields in the affected areas.
To address this, Brigadier General Musa Whajah, Retired, the Western Regional Security Liaison Officer, recommends that the leadership of the company engage with residents of the communities the company operates in to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of illegal mining.
Source: Original
Following damage reports from the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited regarding declining production and premature tree mortality due to chemical use, the Western Regional Security Council initiated an anti-illegal mining operation in the Adiewoso community of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
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"Illegal mining activities are destroying these rubber plantations, causing significant production losses due to chemical contamination and water pollution. We are committed to sustaining operations, as this viable company cannot afford to be crippled by low production," Brigadier General Whajah said.
Il;egal miners destroy 2,000 mature rubber trees
According to GREL, 2,000 mature rubber trees, ready for tapping, have been destroyed to facilitate gold mining activities.
This led to a joint operation on Thursday, August 21, 2025, involving personnel from the Second Infantry Battalion, police, and national security, which was conducted in Adiewoso and Tetreim.
The operation led to the arrest of twelve suspects, including one female and eleven males, the seizure of two tricycles and one motorcycle, and the destruction of twenty-five chanfang machines, which were subsequently burned.
"The operation, which focused on Adiewoso and Tetreim, yielded significant results. We were able to arrest twelve suspects, seize two tricycles and one motorcycle, and destroy twenty-five chanfang machines," Brigadier General Whajah added.
Source: Original
He urged Ghana Rubber Estate Limited to prioritise engaging with host communities and providing alternative livelihood options, emphasising that the allure of quick gains from illegal mining complicates employee recruitment.
"Intensified community engagement is necessary to educate residents about the detrimental effects of their actions on the company," he concluded.
The twelve suspects, along with the seized items, are currently in the custody of the Agona Nkwanta Police Station, pending further investigation.
Source: UGC
Joseph Yamin urges President to ban galamsey
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported earluer that the National Organiser of the NDC, Joseph Yamin, accused the government's anti-illegal mining task force, National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), of extorting illegal miners.
Joseph Yamin claimed that the task force was profiting from the galamsey menace rather than combating illegal mining.
The NDC official called on President John Mahama to urgently halt all mining operations and impose a national ban.
Source: YEN.com.gh
