Six people have been arrested for illegally mining at Birim North and Asante Akyem districts of the Jap and Ashanti Areas respectively throughout a particular operation.
The six suspects embody a feminine Ghanaian, different West African nationals, and a financier who was at one of many websites.
The joint army and police operation arrange by the Lands and Pure Sources Ministry additionally destroyed 19 mining tools and eight water pumping machines.
In addition they set ablaze the tents and makeshift constructions that served as lodging.
The unlawful miners had adopted new expertise used harmful chemical substances to clean the gold deposits and subsequently, dumbed them into water our bodies.
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With the assist of some residents, the miners additionally diverted and polluted the Prah river which has change into harmful for consumption.
In accordance with Deputy Lands Minister, Mireku Duker, lots of the miners believed to be Burkinabes, Nigeriens, Togolese and Ivorians fled into bushes upon the arrival of the operation staff on the websites.
“The invasion of foreigners is now the pattern and it’s a worrying one clearly folks coming from Burkinafaso, Ivory Coast, Benin and so forth. Those that have been arrested attest to that truth. It is rather unlucky that Ghanaians are permitting this to occur,” he mentioned.
He added that “Animals are dying as a result of they’re ingesting from diverted water that has been polluted by Mercury and so forth. Farmers are complaining, they’re destroying cocoa farms. If you happen to can see behind me, the Prah river has been diverted and closely polluted that is worrying to Ghanaians and I believe Ghanaians ought to be alert now.
Mr Duker additionally ordered the fast shut down of Socorro Funding Mining Restricted positioned at Amenam in Asante Akyem South District which have allegedly been taken over by Franco Buying and selling Enterprise.
The corporate has failed to amass all the required documentation and permits.
“As a result of they don’t have a license to mine. It’s an unlawful web site. They have to produce an EPA license earlier than they begin mining. No person can declare possession of this concession. Minerals Fee has not granted any concession right here,” Mr Duker defined.
In the meantime, the suspects arrested are helping the police with investigations.
