Ten suspected illegal miners have been arrested by police at Jacobu in the Ashanti Region for engaging in mining activities beneath high-voltage electricity transmission lines.
The arrests were carried out on April 29, 2026, during a routine patrol by the Jacobu District Police Command along the Asikasu–Obuasi Highway.
According to police reports, the suspects were found actively mining under Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) high-tension pylons, having excavated deep trenches dangerously close to the structures.
Authorities warned that the activities posed serious risks, including the risk of electrocution and damage to critical power infrastructure supplying electricity to Obuasi and surrounding areas.
Police indicated that any damage to the pylons could have caused widespread power outages across the enclave.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 58, include Amadu Salifu, Obeng Emmanuel, Isaac Opoku, Madi Akurugu, Munkaila Konlan, Abdul Razak, Alex Owusu, Eric Agyei, Gordon Ampong, and Kofi Opoku.
They have been charged with undertaking mining operations without a licence and are expected to appear before the court as investigations continue.
