A security taskforce against illegal mining, led by the military, is combing the Ntobroso community and other areas in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region to destroy mining equipment on illegal sites.

The exercise forms part of the government's programme to end illegal mining, which is destroying water bodies and lands.

Not even the mounting of roadblocks by the illegal miners to deny the military access to their mining sites could deter the military.

More than 17 excavators and a number of chamfan (dredgers) equipment have been destroyed in Wednesday’s exercise.

Meanwhile, some angry residents of Ntobroso attacked the District Chief Executive for Atwima Mponua and some police officers.

The residents, believed to be illegal miners, accused Isaac Kofi Marfo of bringing the military to the area to clamp down on their activities and deprive them of their livelihoods.

The angry residents caused damage to a police vehicle.

The deployment of officers from the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces to the area is part of Operation Halt 2 against illegal mining activities.

The team is invading some illegal mining sites whilst setting equipment ablaze.