The Ghana Police Service said Saturday that 62 people were arrested on suspicion of illegal mining in the Ahafo Region town of Kenyase.
The move came after a series of complaints from an international gold firm, Newmont Goldcorp, over the incursions of illegal miners into their concession in Kenyasi.
Ahafo Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Buadu Peprah, who led the operation, said that they clamped down on the illegal mining activities at around 4 a.m. in the morning (GMT 0400).
The suspects, including two women, would be arraigned on Monday, he said.
As one of the largest gold producers and exporters in Africa, Ghana has been waging a war against illegal mining, which has caused pollution of major water bodies in mineral-rich territories.
A joint police and military team dubbed “Operation Vanguard” has been deployed to such mining sites to arrest perpetrators.
Source: Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
