At New Abirem, 20 illegal miners were detained, including two Chinese nationals.

On Sunday, October 13, the Akyem Kotoku Environmental Task Force detained 20 suspected illegal miners at New Abirem in the Eastern Region, including two Chinese nationals.

In the Birim North District, close to the Roman Missionary House, the suspects were observed actively participating in illicit mining operations.

The task force confiscated two pumps, three excavators, and other mining equipment during the operation.

While they await arraignment in court, all 20 suspects are presently being held by the police. The arrests came when local youths resisted the delivery of excavators into the village on Saturday, confronting the District Chief Executive (DCE) and police.

The same devices that the young person had attempted to stop were reportedly later discovered to be used for galamsey activities behind the Roman Missionary House.

Local youth and chiefs have often accused Hon. Raymond Nana Damptey, the DCE of Birem North, of being involved in illicit mining, a charge he has continuously refuted.

However, the DCE and Nana Aduasenehene were shown trying to use their influence to overcome the youth’s opposition in a widely shared video taken during the task force’s operation. The task force’s leader, Eric Gyataba, acknowledged the arrests and voiced his displeasure with the local government’s meddling in their attempts to stop illicit mining.