Wenchi:5 illegal miners arrested

A special task force appointed by the Wenchi Traditional Council has arrested five individuals, including a Chinese national, for allegedly engaging in illegal mining at Wenchi Atuuna in the Bono Region.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, around 4:40 p.m., resulted in the confiscation of four excavators, two Ford vehicles with registration numbers AS 2860-24 and GB 159-22, and two large mining washing machines.

Nana Reindorf Oware, special aide to the Omanhene of the Wenchi Traditional Area, Osagyefo Ampem Anye Amoampong Tabrako III, confirmed the arrests. He stated that the task force, acting under Osagyefo Tabrako’s directive, executed the operation successfully.

According to him, both the suspects and the seized equipment were handed over to the Wenchi police for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Emphasizing the need for environmental rehabilitation, Nana Oware noted that the council has directed authorities to ensure that the arrested individuals restore the land they had degraded through illegal mining activities.

Detailing the events leading to the arrests, Nana Oware revealed that upon the task force’s arrival at the mining site, a Chinese suspect, along with another accomplice, attempted to flee in a private vehicle. However, a vigilant task force member pursued them on a motorbike, tracked their hideout, and alerted the police, leading to their arrest.

During initial questioning, the suspects reportedly disclosed the identity and location of an individual backing their operations. The Wenchi Traditional Council has since summoned this individual for questioning at the palace.

Additionally, it was discovered that the suspects did not possess valid permits authorizing them to mine in the area.

Reaffirming the Omanhene’s stance on illegal mining, Nana Oware stressed that Osagyefo Tabrako remains committed to eradicating unauthorized mining activities due to their detrimental effects on farmlands, forests, and water sources.