7 Illegal miners arrested in Eastern Region - Mining equipment, weapons seized

Seven persons suspected to be involved in illegal mining in six municipalities and districts in the Eastern Region have been rounded up by state security, and their equipment, including ammunition, seized.

They were said to be operating in the Atiwa West, Kwaebibirem, Denkyembour, Ayensuano,Fanteakwa South and Lower West Akim districts.

Also, mining equipment and weapons made up of four excavators, 16 water pumping machines, 24 batteries, a weighing scale, a rubber hose, a grease pump, a chainsaw , three single barrel guns, two pump action shotguns, two rifles, five control boards and three monitors were seized from the suspected illegal miners.

They were apprehended in a swoop conducted by officers and men of the First Infantry Battalion from Michel Camp under the Southern Sector Command of the Ghana Armed Forces and the police.

While those arrested were being kept at the Eastern Regional Police Command, the mining equipment have been deposited at the official residence of the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.

President's mandate

Briefing the press at the residency last Saturday, Mrs Awatey who did not mention the names of the suspects when pressed, said the swoop was to adhere to the mandate given by the President, John Dramani Mahama, to clamp down on illegal miners.

She indicated that it was in that direction that the military and the police had to go to all areas where illegal mining was being done.

Forest destruction

Many water bodies, including rivers, the Eastern Regional Minister stated, had been polluted while the forest had also been destroyed, hence the need to organise such an operation.

"We have to engage the military and the police to look out for places where illegal mining is being done, so we went to such places to arrest illegal miners and seize their weapons and equipment", Mrs Awatey stated.

She emphasised that mining pits had also been left uncovered, and therefore making it very dangerous for people living in such communities.

Potable water

The Regional Minister further explained that due to the activities of the illegal miners, it had been very difficult for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to provide potable water from the highly polluted rivers such as the Birim and Densu.

Mrs Awatey told the press that the military and the police engaged in the exercise would be in the region until the rivers and other water bodies had been cleared of the miners, and the forests too be saved from illegal chainsaw operators.

Writer's email haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh