The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has hinted of the return of the military to mining sites to help protect water bodies.

Benito Owusu-Bio says the presence of military personnel in mining areas is critical in curbing illegal mining activities.

He said the country has come to the crossroads in dealing with illegal mining.

According to Benito Owusu, the withdrawal of the army from the rapid response unit was temporary.

The return of the military is part of new measures rolled out by the government, as part of Operation Halt II to protect the country’s forest reserves and water bodies from illegal miners.

"The withdrawal of the army from the rapid response unit in the region was a temporary order they will be coming back. But beef up your work as district officers. Use the resources you have to deal with illegal mining in your district," he said.

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources noted that some officers have been active on some galamsey sites in the past two weeks.

"We've come to the crossroads, let's see you rise to the challenge. For the past two weeks some officers have been proactive, they've been ensuring that nobody enters the mining sites. I have been to some sites in the last two days," he noted.