Eastern Region: 164 arrested over illegal mining, suspects include foreign nationals

The military anti-galamsey taskforce, Operation Halt II says it has arrested 164 suspected illegal miners, including foreign nationals at Anyinam and Mampong in the Eastern Region.

In an announcement on Facebook by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, it said the suspects are 159 males and five females. Foreign nationals arrested are said to be from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Ivory Coast.

“We asked the security agencies to conduct a massive operation to get these foreign nationals who have invaded our environment. These are people from neighbouring countries who have invaded Mining concessions near river bodies in this country.

“I want to commend the Ministry for the effort they have shown to arrest 164 illegal Miners. They also have people who are providing other services. One of them confessed that she is happy they have been arrested as she was trafficked to Ghana. We will hand them over to the appropriate authorities for them to take the necessary actions,” George Mireku Duker, the sector minister is quoted to have said.