Three arrested as Police bust illegal mining site near GWCL facility at Effutu

Three suspected illegal miners have been arrested while several others escaped during a police operation targeting illegal mining activities near the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) main transmission line at Effutu in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region.

The operation, carried out by personnel from the Central Regional Police Command, also led to the seizure and destruction of several pieces of equipment used in the illegal mining activity.

According to police sources, the exercise was conducted on Sunday, June 8, 2026, at about 8:00 a.m., following a formal petition from the Ghana Water Company Limited, Cape Coast.

The petition raised concerns about ongoing illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, being carried out dangerously close to the company’s main water transmission infrastructure.

Authorities warned that the activities posed a serious threat to water quality, public health, and the integrity of the water supply system serving thousands of residents in Cape Coast and surrounding communities.

Acting on the complaint, a team of officers from the Central Regional Police Command launched an intelligence-led operation at the mining site.

Upon arrival, the illegal miners reportedly fled into nearby bushes, abandoning their tools and equipment.

However, three suspects — identified as Eugene Oppong (28), Paul Kumash (30), and Amos Beyuo (25) — were arrested at the scene.

A search of the area led to the retrieval of 19 water pumping machines connected to mining pits, four washing carpets, seven cutlasses, and a wheelbarrow believed to have been used in the illegal operations.

Police indicated that some heavy machinery and makeshift structures on site could not be evacuated due to their condition and location. These were subsequently immobilised and set ablaze to prevent further use.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to pose environmental and economic threats across the country.

The three suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, while efforts are underway to track down the other individuals who fled the scene.

Police have retained all seized items as evidence to support ongoing investigations.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting water bodies, forest reserves, and critical national infrastructure from the destructive impact of illegal mining.

The case is still under investigation.