Two illegal miners are feared dead in a fatal gun battle between members of the anti galamsey security task force and some illegal miners at Asamama in the Eastern Region, Thursday.
At least four others were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries with another three in the custody of Police Joy News' Latif Iddrisu reported.
The taskforce had been tipped off by some residents about the illegal mining activities of the miners.
The residents claimed to have seen huge trailers offloading machines and other illegal mining materials in the town which got the residents suspicious.
No sooner were these machines deployed on the rivers and land areas as the illegal miners destroyed the rivers and cocoa farms in a desperate search for mineral resources.
On Thursday the task force decided to swoop in but met a huge resistance from the illegal miners, some of whom were said to have opened fire on the task force.
The task force returned fire in a feisty gun battle leading to the death of the two miners.
Some of the illegal miners who spoke to Latif Iddrisu in midst of the gun battle, said mining is their only source of livelihood.
They did not understand why the task force will come to interrupt their work and destroy their machines.
After several minutes of intense gunshot exchanges, the galamsey miners were dispersed but suffered two casualties.
One of the bodies of the miners was left at the mine site, Latif reported. It is not clear yet where the three arrested persons are being kept.
Meanwhile, the miners have vowed to fight back and are threatening some residents in the area who they claim provided information to the police.
The Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has also dispatched military men to the area to provide security.
Latest Stories
-
Government suspends implementation of price Stabilisation and Recovery levy on petroleum products
26 mins -
Takoradi traders lament over low sales ahead of Easter
2 hours -
Michael Ampadu: One Student, One Tablet initiative will shape the future of education and innovation
2 hours -
I will partner you for development – Alan tells TUC
2 hours -
Malnutrition, anemia remain concern to UNICEF
2 hours -
Kasoa shrinking penis: Court remands Electrician over false alarm
3 hours -
Chief of Mampong Hemang donates land for mental health facility construction
3 hours -
‘I look forward to working closely with President-elect Faye to enhance Ghanaian-Senegalese relations’ – Akufo-Addo
4 hours -
Girl, 8, only survivor as 45 killed in bus crash in South Africa
4 hours -
Biden to host star-studded NYC fundraiser with Obama and Clinton
4 hours -
GDNR, AAU and others launch Universal Acceptance for local languages in internet domain names
5 hours -
Ogum and Kotoko’s March malaise
6 hours -
BushGang Zee releases new afro dancehall anthem “Accra Stay By Plan”
7 hours -
2 repair vessels dispatched for undersea cable repairs – says NCA’s latest update
7 hours -
Multimedia Group Limited’s Clinton Yeboah shortlisted for 2 International Sports Press Association Awards
7 hours