164 people have been arrested as an anti-galamsey taskforce raids mining sites in the Eastern Region.
Operation Halt II, an anti-galamsey taskforce, has arrested 164 suspected illegal miners in the Eastern Region's Anyinam and Mampong.
The 164 suspects, 159 men and 5 women, are mostly foreigners from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Ivory Coast.
The operation, which will be carried out by the Ghana Armed Forces on Thursday, September 15, 2022, is part of the government's revitalized and renewed fight against illegal mining.
Speaking to the press after the suspects were brought to Accra for processing and prosecution, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining, Hon. George Mireku Duker, praised the taskforce for acting quickly on the Ministry's directive to crack down on illegal small-scale mining activities by both locals and foreign nationals.
Mireku Duker provided additional information on the suspects and assured that they would be turned over to the police and relevant authorities to begin processing and prosecution.
"We requested that the security agencies conduct a massive operation to apprehend these foreign nationals who have infiltrated our environment." "These are invaders from neighboring countries who have taken over mining concessions near river bodies in this country," he explained.
"I want to commend the Ministry for their efforts in apprehending 164 illegal miners." They also have people who offer other services. One of them admitted that she is relieved they were apprehended because she was trafficked to Ghana. We will turn them over to the appropriate authorities, who will take the necessary actions," he said.
He sent a strong message to those involved in illegal mining that the government will not back down from its promise to end illegal mining.
Duker warned obstinate individuals and groups involved in illegal mining to stop their harmful activities, promising that if they were apprehended, the law would take its full course.
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