The Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and security agencies in a joint operation have uncovered an illegal fuel station deep within the Jimmirah Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
The station is believed to supply fuel to the earth-moving equipment deployed in the illegal mining operations.
The team uncovered the illegal station during a raid on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
As part of the operation, several foreigners believed to be involved in illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey within the forest reserve.
Addressing journalists, the Administrator of MDF, Dr. Hannah Bissiw, criticised the environmental degradation caused by the activities in the area.
“The community is fed up, and in fact, the communities are fed up. They are fed up that they destroy the land, they destroy the water bodies, and at the end of the day, they are going to blame the government because when they want water, the government has to provide it,” she lamented.
Contrary to the government’s decision to deport foreigners arrested for galamsey, Dr. Bissiw suggested that they must face the law.
“For these Chinese who say they don’t feel sorry for what they have done, they have destroyed our water bodies, and they have done so much.
“We will also make sure that the law takes its course. If they are going to be deported, it should not be before they pay for the restoration of Offin,” she said.
