Three illegal miners have been taken into custody by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) taskforce, Akwatia zone, in Akyem Okyinso, a suburb of Akyem Asuom on the Birim River in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region.
A coordinated operation with the police resulted in the destruction of eight Changfan machines and the seizure of various mining equipment.
This action demonstrates GNASSM’s dedication to restoring the Birim River to its natural condition.
The offenders are currently being held at the Akyem Asuom police station, where they will likely undergo court processing.
Susan Danquah Tete, the Small Scale Mining Association’s Eastern Regional Women Coordinator, who oversaw the operation, told reporters that illegal miners’ actions have destroyed water bodies, multiple cocoa farms, and palm oil plantations.
According to her, it has also had a detrimental impact on the Ghana Water Company Limited’s (GWCL) local activities.
In the meantime, the police have been given the mining equipment to help in their investigations.
