The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has conducted a raid on suspected illegal mining sites along the Subin River at Ahwiren in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region, leading to the seizure of mining equipment, firearms and other items.
According to NAIMOS, the operation targeted mining activities taking place at the headwaters of the Subin River, where miners were allegedly operating without the required approvals.
During the operation, the team seized five monitors and four control boards from five excavators. One of the excavators, officials said, did not have either a monitor or a control board. Four pumping engines used in the mining activities were also destroyed at the site.
The operation further resulted in the seizure of two excavator keys, as well as two Adler pump-action guns and 19 cartridges.
NAIMOS said preliminary findings showed that the miners had diverted the natural course of the Subin River by blocking its headwaters to facilitate their activities. The mining site was located about 50 metres from the Ahwiren-Bekwai main road.
Officials said further investigations revealed that the operators had applied for a mining permit through the relevant regulatory process but had not yet received approval. They also alleged that the coordinates of the site where the miners were operating differed from those contained in their application.
The Secretariat further disclosed that the miners had established offices within the community and maintained that their activities were lawful and did not constitute illegal mining.
NAIMOS did not indicate whether any arrests were made during the operation. The Secretariat said investigations into the matter are continuing.
Source:www.kumasimail.com
