The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) Taskforce has apprehended five individuals for illegal mining in the Birim River at Mampong, located in the Atewa East District of the Eastern Region.
During the operation, the task force also burned 40 changfans and confiscated two newly constructed changfans that were about to be deployed by illegal miners.
These suspects are among the many defiant illegal miners who returned to the site just days after the military had visited to destroy several changfans.
Two of the suspects were caught in the act while mining with their changfan when the task force surrounded them in the river.
As the task force was leaving the area, they discovered a truck transporting two newly built changfans to the same site. The two occupants of the truck fled upon spotting the task force but were chased down and arrested.
Another individual, identified as Nana Kwadwo Ayimadu, claimed ownership of the changfans and attempted to prevent the task force from towing the truck. He was also taken into custody.
The arrested individuals have been taken to the Kibi District Police Command and are expected to appear in court soon.
The truck containing the newly constructed changfans has been handed over to the police to assist with their investigation.
Mr. Thomas Larbi, the Treasurer of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, confirmed the arrests to Channel One News and reiterated the association’s commitment to combating illegal mining that pollutes the country’s water bodies.
