Four of the arrested people
MEMBERS of the anti-illegal mining taskforce, Operation Vanguard, seized several mining equipment and machineries from gangs operating at goldfields in three regions across the country on Friday.
The pieces of equipment include 85 changfans, 19 industrial water pumping machines, eight excavators and 15 washing plants.
They were found at various mining sites in communities in the Amansie West District and Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Upper Denkira West District of the Central Region, and Bibiani and Sefwi-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Districts of the Western Region.
Public Relations Officer of Operation Vanguard, Squadron Leader Robison Omane Agyei, told DAILY GUIDE that the taskforce also arrested 18 illegal miners in the operation which began on Thursday, June 14, 2018, in communities along the Ayanfuri-Bibiani road.
He disclosed that all the suspects and the seized equipment were handed over to the Atakyem Police at Dunkwa-on-Offin for further investigations and possible prosecution.
According to him, the taskforce, which was led by Col Michael Amoah Ayisi, the operation commander, again conducted operations at Ayanfuri, Brofoyedu, Abora, Breman, Treposo, Dominase, Adaboe and Diaso – all in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.
He stated that the team involved personnel from Ashanti, Central and Eastern Forward Operating Bases (FOB).
Squadron Leader Omane Agyei said various FOBs continued with operations at illegal mining sites within their areas of responsibility, adding that those in Ashanti Region conducted operations at Basaanso and Tontokrom in the Amansie West District.
In the Eastern Region, he asserted that the FOB on 14th June, 2018, conducted operations at Asamama and Banso in the Atiwa District. One illegal miner was caught, while 10 changfans and two water pumping machines were seized.
The spokesperson revealed that the Western FOB arrested two Ghanaians and a Togolese on Friday, June 15, during the conduct of operations at Wassa in the Amenfi East District.
One locally manufactured gun, eight cartridges were seized, while 10 changfans, five water pumping machines and four washing plants were also immobilized.
Squadron Leader Agyei expressed Operation Vanguard’s appreciation to members of the general public for their support and information about illegal mining activities.
“Let us all support to save the environment for today and the future,” he urged.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi