58 stories found
Traditional authorities in Ghana's Tano North Municipality have expressed frustration with the police's routine release of arrested illegal miners, warning that this undermines efforts to combat widespread illegal mining.
Ghanaian President John Mahama revealed a revised strategy to combat illegal mining, known as 'galamsey,' which involves maintaining military detachments in forest reserves after they have been cleared of illegal miners.
Twelve individuals suspected of illegal mining have been remanded into police custody following their arrest during a two-day operation against illegal mining in Ghana's Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has instructed troops to intensify intelligence gathering and take strong action against criminal elements, including illegal miners, to enhance security in the state.
The Takoradi Harbour Circuit Court has remanded 13 suspected illegal miners into prison custody for two weeks following their arrest during an ongoing anti-galamsey operation in the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve in Ghana's Western Region.
Reports indicate that many people are feared dead following clashes between illegal miners in Birnin Gwari, Nigeria, prompting calls for an official investigation into the violence.
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Wontumi, has been convicted for illegal mining, with public figures like Inusah Fuseini stating that the verdict signals the end of political protection for those involved in such activities.
Youth in Salman, Ghana, have expressed support for Adamus Mining Company and urged the public to disregard misleading information, while also calling for a crackdown on illegal mining operations.
The Nigerian Federal Government has initiated a crackdown on illegal mining activities in Osun State, leading to the arrest of two suspected illegal miners. A mining site in the state has also been shut down as part of the enforcement efforts.
The Logeist Ecoreclaim Initiative Taskforce in Ghana's Ashanti Region has issued a warning to illegal miners, known as 'galamsey', against re-entering reclaimed forest reserves and farmlands that have been severely degraded.
The Ghanaian government plans to redeploy 70 excavators seized from illegal miners for a nationwide desilting exercise aimed at tackling persistent flooding across the country.
Four illegal miners have died following a devastating mining pit collapse incident in Bepotenten Sukuum, a farming community located in the Amansie Central District of Ghana's Ashanti region.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Squad (NAIMOS) conducted multiple raids in Ghana, leading to the arrest of alleged illegal mining "kingpins" in the Offin River area and a crackdown on miners in the Cape Three Points forest.
A coalition of civil society organizations in Ghana is urging the National Petroleum Authority to cut off fuel access to illegal mining operations, identifying it as a crucial step to combat galamsey.
Eight confirmed National Security operatives in Ghana's Assin Fosu Municipality have been granted police inquiry bail after being arrested for allegedly robbing illegal miners of gold, cash, and mobile phones.
Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, has appealed to cocoa farmers in Ghana's Ahafo Region to resist pressure from illegal miners, known as 'galamseyers', who seek to take over their farmlands.
The Secretary of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Dominic Buah, has warned that illegal miners are increasingly armed with dangerous weapons, posing a significant…
South African soldiers deployed to high-crime areas have dismantled illegal gold mining operations in a community near Johannesburg, forcing some illegal miners to flee and abandon...
The Assemblyman for the Apremede-Oseikrom Electoral Area, Mannah Mustapha, has stated that the landowner had earlier asked illegal miners to vacate the site before the tragic pit collapse that claimed nine lives.
Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development announced the registration of 388 mineral buying centers and the prosecution of 150 illegal miners, with the ministry generating N28 billion in revenue for 2024.
The commander of the NSCDC's Mining Marshals, John Onoja, has pledged to continue operations against illegal mining cartels to disrupt illicit financial flows.
The Mpohor-Fiase District Assembly has intensified its efforts against illegal mining, leading to the arrest of 26 suspected illegal miners during a coordinated security operation.
JoyNews environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor alleges that illegal mining operators in Ghana are exploiting the government's cooperative mining scheme to continue their destructive activities in communities.
Council chairmen and the military in Osun state, Nigeria, clashed during a visit to communities affected by environmental degradation and security challenges caused by illegal miners.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Ghana has arrested 19 suspected illegal miners. The arrests followed a JoyNews report on 'galamsey' (illegal mining) activities occurring near the Mpohor Fiase Police Station in the Western Region.
Chiefs and residents of Atronie in Ghana's Bono Region have threatened to invoke their local deity against illegal miners if the government fails to stop the destruction of their community.
The Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has rejected claims that the 'era of impunity is over' regarding illegal mining, known as galamsey. The coalition is demanding tougher action and enforcement against illegal miners.
Two South African soldiers were killed during a pursuit of suspected illegal miners, known as 'zama zamas,' at an abandoned mine west of Johannesburg. Police are investigating the incident.
A violent confrontation between residents of Darkokrom and suspected illegal miners, known as galamseyers, has resulted in one death and several injuries from gunshots in Ghana's Atiwa East District.
The abandoned 'Agenda 111' hospital project at Adansi Asokwa in Ghana's Ashanti region has become a haven for illegal mining operations, with miners taking over lands behind the facility.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed support for the Mining Marshals of the NSCDC, commending their efforts against illegal mining and warning economic saboteurs.
A NAIMOS operations team in Ghana survived an ambush by an illegal mining gang and subsequently arrested 49 suspected illegal miners in the Ahanta West Municipality. The taskforce was conducting an operation when they came under fire.
Twenty-four individuals suspected of illegal mining (galamsey) were arrested during a dawn operation by Rapid Response Teams in Ghana's Atewa Range Forest on April 28.
Criminal proceedings have been launched against individuals involved in illegal mining activities in the Maraca and Mogovolas regions of Mozambique, according to an AIM report.
Nigerian police have apprehended 42 illegal miners following the recent abduction of a traditional ruler in Kwara State. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the monarch's disappearance.
Another incident at a mine in Manica, Mozambique, resulted in the deaths of 10 illegal miners and the rescue of five others, three of whom are in serious condition.
The Akrofuom District in Ghana is experiencing a severe shortage of health workers, primarily due to a lack of affordable accommodation, a problem exacerbated by competition from illegal miners ("galamseyers").
23 illegal miners, including four women, have been arrested by the Forestry Commission's Rapid Response Unit for operating along and polluting the Oda River in Ghana's Ashanti Region.
Ten illegal miners have been confirmed dead following a mine cave-in at Manso Tontokrom in the Ashanti Region.
The Nigerian Army has apprehended 18 illegal miners in Niger State, recovering N2.4 million during the operation. This action has been praised by Mining Marshals, who commend the army's efforts in combating illegal mining activities.
At least 14 suspected illegal miners have died and several others were injured after a mine dump collapsed in South Africa. The incident occurred at a disused mine, highlighting the dangers faced by clandestine miners.
Twelve suspected illegal miners have been arrested and remanded following a two-day anti-galamsey operation by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forestry Commission in Ghana's Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve.
Fifteen suspected illegal miners, including an alleged kingpin, have been arrested and three excavators seized during a joint security operation at an illegal mining site located near the Sanso Methodist School in Obuasi, Ghana.
A group has called for an investigation into a deadly clash involving illegal miners in Kaduna and demanded the suspension of Speaker Gbajabiamila amidst a 'fake agency scandal'.
Illegal mining activities are deeply entrenched in parts of Ghana's Mpohor Fiase District, with miners operating openly near a police station, prompting affected farmers and traditional leaders to call for urgent government intervention.
Nigeria's Federal Government plans to implement digital identity technology to monitor mining operators, aiming to curb illegal mining activities and enhance regulation within the sector.
The NSCDC’s Mining Marshals have arrested 671 suspected illegal miners across Nigeria, with 397 already arraigned, significantly boosting government revenue from solid minerals.
A new attempt to remove dozens of excavators seized from illegal miners operating in Ghana's Tano Anwia Forest Reserve has sparked controversy. This action occurred despite a High Court injunction restraining the movement of the equipment.
A recent incident involving illegal miners in early June 2026 has raised alarms in Ghana, prompting questions about the enforcement of laws against "galamsey" (illegal mining).
Greenpeace reports that illegal miners continue to extract billions in gold from the Amazon rainforest, despite ongoing crackdowns by the Brazilian government. The illicit activity causes significant environmental damage and economic loss.
Ten illegal miners were arrested by Jacobu Police in Ghana for operating under high-tension electricity lines. They have since been remanded into prison custody.
A lawyer in Ghana has called for parliamentary legislation to authorize the use of lethal force against illegal miners operating in the country's forests and water bodies.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners following the abduction of a traditional ruler in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the incident.
Police in Ghana have arrested eight individuals suspected of impersonating national security operatives and robbing illegal miners of gold, cash, and mobile phones in Assin Awisam.
The Ghanaian government has directed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to immediately cease taxing illegal miners, threatening severe sanctions for non-compliance, while Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu explained that previous levies were institutional, not personal, hence the lack of sanctions.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana expects to conclude its investigation into allegations that the Amansie Central District Chief Executive was involved in collecting levies from illegal miners.
The Central North Police Command has prevented what would have been a bloody clash between the youth of four mining some illegal miners in the district over the destruction of their environment.
The Nigerian military announced significant operational achievements in February, including the arrest of 354 terrorists, criminals, and illegal miners.