The Mpohor-Fiase District Assembly has intensified its efforts to combat illegal mining following the arrest of 26 suspected illegal miners during a coordinated security operation in the district.
The intelligence-led operation targeted about 10 suspected illegal mining sites and involved personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and River Guards.
Several suspected miners reportedly fled the sites when the security team arrived, but 26 people were arrested during the exercise.
The operation also led to the seizure of 14 pumping machines, eight motorbikes and two gallons of fuel believed to have been used in illegal mining activities.
The suspects have since been transferred to the Sekondi Central Police Station to assist with investigations and subsequent legal processes.
The operation was led by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Sophia Aubyn, who said the District Security Committee (DISEC) had agreed to strengthen the district’s anti-illegal mining taskforce by increasing the number of personnel assigned to it.
According to her, the district-level approach is intended to complement the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), whose nationwide mandate makes it difficult to sustain operations in every district.
The DCE said the strengthened taskforce would rely on intelligence-led and coordinated operations to disrupt illegal mining activities and protect the district’s natural resources.
District Coordinating Director Alhassan Sullemana also assured the taskforce of the Assembly’s commitment to providing the logistics needed to support effective operations.
The Assembly said the latest crackdown forms part of its renewed efforts to support the national fight against illegal mining, protect the environment and promote sustainable development in the Mpohor-Fiase District.
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