9 suspected illegal miners arrested by 'Operation Halt'

Nine suspected illegal miners have been arrested, and 23 changfans destroyed by officers from 'Operation Halt'.

They were arrested along the Ankobra River at Prestea Nakaba in the Western Region. 

The task force, consisting of over 100 soldiers was deployed last week to combat illegal mining activities across the Eastern, Central and Western Regions.

The operation is part of the government’s efforts to stop illegal mining [galamsey], which has caused widespread environmental destruction.

The task force also destroyed 33 grinding machines, 27 water pumps, 23 changfans, and three changfan boards all in the Prestea Nakaba area.

In a separate operation at Assin Asamang in the Central Region, the task force also destroyed 10 changfans and 7 water pumps, which were being used for illegal mining along the River Pra. 

Additional equipment seized across the regions included grinding machines, water pumps and a locally manufactured gun.