Illegal Mining Archives

South Africa Deploys Soldiers to Support Police in Crackdown on Crime and Illegal Mining

South Africa has begun deploying soldiers to assist police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining, with troops appearing on the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday. The first major deployment…

Africa News Now March 11, 2026

ANN Southern Africa

Gold Rush Fever Grips Springs as Jobless South Africans Dig for Hope

Dozens of would-be prospectors have descended on an informal settlement in Springs, about 50 kilometres east of Johannesburg, after reports of a possible gold discovery sparked a wave of illegal…

Africa News Now February 17, 2026

ANN Southern Africa

Zambian Farmers Sue Chinese Mining Firm Over Toxic Spill in Copperbelt

Dozens of farmers in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province have launched a $220 million lawsuit against Chinese company Sino-Metals Leach (SML), accusing it of contaminating their land and water following a massive…

Africa News Now September 30, 2025

ANN West Africa

Ghana Tightens Visa Rules for Chinese Nationals in Galamsey Fight

The Ghanaian government has announced stricter visa procedures for Chinese nationals as part of renewed efforts to curb illegal mining, widely known as galamsey. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa…

Africa News Now September 16, 2025

ANN West Africa

Chinese Envoy Sparks Outrage in Ghana Over ‘Galamsey Can’t Be Eliminated’ Comment

A recent statement by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, has triggered widespread backlash after he claimed that Ghana “can never eliminate” illegal mining—known locally as galamsey—and blamed Ghanaians…

Africa News Now June 22, 2025

ANN West Africa

Anti-Galamsey Protesters in Accra Demand Tougher Action on Illegal Mining

Hundreds of Ghanaians took to the streets of Accra on Monday, led by the Generational Rights Protection Society, to protest the government’s inaction against illegal mining operations, commonly known as…

Africa News Now April 28, 2025

ANN West Africa

Ghana Removes Over 10,000 Illegal Settlers from Subri Forest Reserve to Restore Order and Safety

Over 10,000 illegal settlers have been forcibly removed from the Subri Forest Reserve in Ghana’s Western Region as part of a major operation to reclaim protected lands. Authorities revealed that…

Africa News Now April 21, 2025