Chile’s Colbún Reservoir Spills into the Maule River as Red Alert Hits the Region

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) teamed up with the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to raid illegal mining camps endangering the Black Volta River in the Savannah Region. During the major operation at Kpali, near Gbinyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, 10 illegal miners were apprehended.

The authorities seized heavy mining equipment, firearms, and other supplies. The Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District is crucial to the Black Volta corridor, a vital water resource whose preservation is essential for the region's communities and ecosystems. Illegal mining in the Black Volta's catchment area harms the river via land degradation, sediment-laden runoff, and the potential release of fuel, oil, and other pollutants stemming from mining activities.

Upon arrival, the Task Force found miners actively mining and noted significant environmental damage at Kpali. The group arrested 10 suspects, including three Chinese nationals and seven Ghanaians, with five males and two females. They seized two excavators, three monitor units, a Toyota Hilux, a fuel bowser filled with diesel, a generator, batteries, communication gear, and other mining-related items.

The forces also recovered three firearms, 25 live rounds, nine radios, and 12 mobile phones, along with cash in both local and foreign currencies. To hinder the operators' ability to return to mining, the Task Force demolished 15 temporary structures and a generator used at the site. The suspects and their associated items have been turned over to the Savannah Regional Police Command in Damongo for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The excavators and other heavy machinery are being stored at designated locations. NAIMOS emphasizes the Black Volta's protection as a critical aspect of the broader initiative to shield Ghana's water resources from the detrimental impacts of illegal mining.