12 Galamsey Suspects Arrested in Western Region
The fight against illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana’s Western Region has chalked another success following a joint security operation that led to the arrest of 12 suspected illegal miners and the destruction of 25 chanfang machines. The operation, carried out by the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC), comes after the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) petitioned authorities over the destruction of its rubber plantation. While cocoa farms have long been victims of illegal mining, rubber plantations are now becoming a new target. GREL revealed that more than six hectares of rubber plantation — including 2,000 mature trees ready for tapping — were destroyed in the Adiewoso enclave of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality. The company added that toxic chemicals used in galamsey pits are not only killing rubber trees prematurely but also drastically reducing yields. The special operation, launched on Thursday, […]