The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) taskforce, Akwatia zone, in collaboration with police, has arrested (3) three illegal miners and destroyed 8 chanfan machines operating in Akyem Okyinso, a suburb of Akyem Asuom in the Birim River in the Kwaebibirem Municipal of the Eastern Region.
As part of the commitment made by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners to ensure that the Birim River in the Eastern region is restored to its natural state.
The task force, in collaboration with the police, has embarked on a special operation at Akyem Okyinso in the Kwaebibirem Municipal of the Eastern region where (3) three of the illegal miners were arrested (8) Eight chan fan machines were destroyed, and other mining equipment being used by illegal miners were also seized at Akyem Okyinso-Krobo during the swoop.
The culprits were kept at the Akyem Asuom police station, where they are expected to be processed in court.
Speaking to the media, the Eastern Regional Women coordinator for Small Scale Mining Association, Susan Danquah Tete, who led the operation said the activities of the illegal miners have led to the destruction of water bodies, several cocoa farms, and palm oil plantations and also has negatively affected the activities of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the area.
Meanwhile, some of the mining equipment being used by the illegal miners was seized and has also been handed over to the police to aid their investigations.
