The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) taskforce, within the Akwatia zone, has arrested three illegal miners for operating in the Birim River in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The task force also destroyed eight changfan machines and seized several pieces of mining equipment from the illegal miners.
This move is part of GNASSM’s commitment to ensuring that the Birim River is restored to its natural state.
The culprits are in custody at the Akyem Asuom police station, where they are expected to be processed for court.
Addressing the media, Susan Danquah Tete, the Eastern Regional Women Coordinator for the Small Scale Mining Association who led the operation, reiterated that the activities of illegal miners have led to the destruction of water bodies, several cocoa farms, and palm oil plantations.
She noted that it has also negatively affected the operations of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the area.
Meanwhile, the mining equipment has been handed over to the police to aid in their investigations.
The task force also set ablaze 40 changfans and confiscated two newly built ones.