The Minerals Commission has described as illegal, on-going gold mining operations at Elmina beach in the Central Region. The discovery of the precious mineral there has attracted many people including outsiders. Fishermen are said to have abandoned their canoes to join those scavenging the wet sand with the hope of making a fortune. But Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission Ben Aryee tells Joy News those digging are engaging in an illegal act. “The laws of Ghana, and indeed, the constitution states that all minerals in their natural state belongs to the state, if you want to win any of it you need to ask the permission of the state to do it.” He also maintained that the current method being employed there is “exposing the land to danger”.