6 excavators Confiscated, 3 Foreign Nationals Nabbed Over Galamsey On River Anum.

Six excavators used in illicit mining operations near the River Anum in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti Region have been seized by the Ashanti Region Anti-Galamsey Task Force.

In the effort to purge illicit miners from around five of the river’s tributaries, three foreign nationals—a Chinese, an Indian, and a Burkinabe—were taken into custody.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council’s attempts to put a stop to galamsey in the region include the combined security responsibility.

Members of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Environmental Protection Authority, and Minerals Commission are part of the team.

It was established following the Ashanti Regional Minister’s two-week ultimatum for all illegal miners to cease their activities in rivers and forests.

The Environmental Protection Authority used drones as part of the operations to locate illicit miners and their excavators.

After learning of the taskforce’s presence on the field, it displayed the earthmoving equipment leaving the scene.

Using the coordinates that the EPA team had given them, the security personnel followed the equipment in order to make an arrest.

Later, some Changfan boats were discovered floating on the river by the squad.

Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Retired) John Jabari said, “we were about sixty percent successful, some of the excavators were not moved to the assembly because their boards had been removed making them immovable.”

Tributaries of the River Anum have become targets of illegal miners in their desperate search for gold.

Anuru, Mentu, Adomesu, Bosompomaa, and Nana Mentu are among the affected water bodies in the Bosome Freho District.

According to members of the community, some of the lands were sold to the miners while others were forcibly taken.

Captain (Retired) Jabari says the taskforce is considering extending activities to persons supplying equipment to the illegal miners.