Over 40 illegal miners using chanfans on the Birim River narrowly escaped arrest after they fled into the heavily silted river and into nearby bushes.
On October 4, a task force from the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, supported by the Ghana Police Service in Anyinam, destroyed 20 chanfans that were polluting the river and its surrounding communities in the Atewa West District of the Eastern Region.
During the operation, the task force arrested one Togolese national and confiscated four pumping machines, a new chanfan set to be deployed in the river, and other mining equipment.
This effort is part of the association’s commitment to eliminate illegal mining that threatens water bodies and the small-scale mining sector.
At a site in Moaso, more than 40 young men were observed mining in the river with chanfans day and night.
The task force faced initial challenges in accessing the machines but eventually gained access with the help of trained divers and river wardens.
Mohammad Amao, the Akim Oda District Chairman of the association, stated that they are dedicated to eradicating illegal mining to protect legitimate jobs in the sector.
Thomas Larbi, the Eastern Regional Treasurer of the association, expressed satisfaction with the operation and called for government support.
He urged the public and community leaders to provide information about individuals mining in water bodies to facilitate prompt action.
