A police and Anti Illegal Mining Joint Taskforce of the Small Scale Miners Association in the Ashanti region have raided three mining communities in the Atwima Mponua District to stop “galamseyers” who have defied the government’s directive to halt all illegal mining activities in the country.
The taskforce led by the Atwima Mponua District Police Commander, ASP Andrews Aboagye seized and burnt fourteen “Chang Fang” machines which had been set up on River Offin, mining gold at Bontomuruso, Achiase and Atuntuma.
Unfortunately no arrest was effect as the illegal miners went into hiding upon seeing the taskforce, while others who had a tip off fled from the sites before the taskforce could get there.
The queenmother of Atuntuma, Nana Afrah Saah, together with some Unit Committee members were alleged to be the owners of some of the machines.
According to the Leader of the Ashanti Regional Anti Illegal Mining Taskforce, Bresi Andoh, his outfit took the action to demonstrate to the whole country that Small Scale Miners are not behind the mining on water bodies and that they frown on same.
He said they remain commited to flush out all illegal miners to pave the way for a more regularised and law-backed mining in the country.
The Anti Illegal Mining Taskforce was set up by the Small Scale Miners Association in the Ashanti region a fortnight ago to clamp down on recalcitrant “galamsey operators” who are still engaged in illegal mining, despite the nationwide ban.