Equipment belonging to illegal miners have been seized at Dunkwa in the Central Region by the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joint military/police taskforce.
The illegal miners were operating on the Dunkwa-On-Offin river despite the fight against illegal mining.
Equipment seized by the taskforce are 28 Chan fang boats with which the miners were working on the river.
The taskforce was financed and sponsored by the Minister of Environment Professor Frimpong Boateng.
Resources provided to the taskforce by Professor Frimpong Boateng included two brand new Toyota Hilux pick-ups, 2 drones, 20 life jackets, 2 large patrol boats with high power outboard motors, 2 speed boats, 15 canoes with paddles and 1 brand new truck.
Liaison Officer to the taskforce Mike Gizo speaking in an interview with Pure FM’s Osei Kwadwo expressed displeasure about the activities of illegal miners which is affecting government’s efforts to fight illegal mining in the country.
According to Mike Gizo, the activities of illegal miners have been a major cause of the destruction of the Offin river.
“We started the operation in Ashanti Region and we are now in the Central Region. We will continue to help government to win the fight against galamsey in the country. It is so pathetic. They (illegal miners) left the place when they saw us but their equipment have been siezed” Mike Gizo said.
“We are sending strong warning to illegal miners who are still operating that we will come after them. We won’t allow them to destroy water bodies and land”.
He appealed to illegal miners to seek proper training to help them do their work legally instead of their illegal way of operating.
He expressed gratitude to the chief of Dunkwa; Nana Okoforobuo II and the Dunkwa Small Scale Miners Association for their support in the successful operation.
What do you think about this piece? Share your comment in the comment thread and share the story using the social media buttons above. You may reach the editor on 0249579664. Thank you.
