The Bole District Security Council (DISEC) in the Savannah Region has mounted a manhunt for about fifteen illegal miners, popularly known as galamsey operators, who were mining deep in the middle of the Black Volta River at Babator in the Bole District.

According to the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bole, Mahamud Abdulai, the miners escaped narrowly, leaving behind 33 machines in the murky brown waters.

He said his outfit immediately set fire to the machines, noting that the miners “can run but not hide.”

“In fact, the moment they set eyes on us, I didn’t even know how they managed to first see our team and how they also escaped from the middle of the river.

"But we are not ending the fight here. We will pursue and arrest them from their hideouts. Otherwise, they will regroup and continue to destroy the river,” the DCE emphasized.

Some four chengfang motors and twenty plants were burnt, while the rest were moved deep into the water.

Mr. Abdulai further stressed that the government is not joking with the matter but is determined to go all out to protect the environment, including water bodies and livelihoods.

He warned that illegal mining poses a direct threat to livelihoods and key investments such as agriculture in all its forms.

The Bole District is dotted with several galamsey sites, well known to both traditional leaders and government agencies.

Stakeholders say some of the illegal miners, including foreign nationals, have gained notoriety and devastated several communities with their activities.

Communities affected include Dollar Power, the most notorious site, and Tuntumba, which is the most popular. Others are Kolor, Banda Nkwanta, Kui, Babator, Eteroso, and Tinga.

In Saru, within the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, the miners reportedly operate deep inside the river, stretching from the Black Volta Lake up to Bamboi in the White Volta Lake, posing severe risks to marine life and irrigation systems along the two riverbanks.