Police have arrested four Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining activities along the Subin and Jimi rivers in Atatam, a community in the Adansi-Asokwa District of the Ashanti Region.
The arrest was part of a joint operation involving the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), her team, and personnel from the Ashanti South Regional Police Command, led by Regional Operations Commander ASP Enoch Boateng.
The suspects—Li Quan, 44; Lu Jianzheng, 36; Li Xuyu, 47; and Su Shanxing, 63—were allegedly mining illegally along the two rivers, which are key sources of drinking water for several nearby communities. Their activities have reportedly led to the destruction of forest cover equivalent to about ten football fields.
Despite laws prohibiting foreigners from participating in small-scale mining, the four were found operating heavy machinery at the site. During the operation, 11 excavators were seized.
Parts of four machines were removed to immobilize them, while the remaining seven were transported to the Regional CID in Bekwai.
Additionally, three pump action guns were recovered from the suspects.
The operation highlights the ongoing fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation in Ghana’s mining communities.