Accra, Nov 16, GNA – Personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have seized 30 excavators and destroyed 103 Changfang machines in renewed fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
The exercise dubbed Operation Halt II, took place in some towns along the Pra, Birim and Offin Rivers.
The team destroyed four of the seized excavators and immobilised another four in the operation which lasted from October 11 to October 31, 2022.
They also seized 9 pumping machines, five gen-sets, two fuel storage tanks, six motorbikes and one Motor King tricycle among other improvised mining equipment.
A statement signed by Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbie, the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, happened in Kade, Ofoase, Oda and Pra Anom, Yawkrom, Agroyesum and Takorase which are all towns along the Pra, Birim and Offin Rivers within the Southern and Central Command areas of responsibility.
It said the operations have contributed to the “gradual improvement in the turbidity of these Rivers”.
Eight suspected illegal miners have been arrested at Banda Nkwanta in the Northern Command area of responsibility and handed over to the Banda Nkwanta District Police.
The GAF assured the General Public of its commitment to combat Illegal Mining on the country’s Rivers and Forest Reserves to enhance Socio-economic development.
GNA.