Three miners have lost their lives in a reported accident at Tarkwa, a mining community near Gbane in the Tongo District of the Upper East Region.
According to the Police in Bolgatanga, a loose slab of rock fell on three young men who were working underground, resulting in the death.
Tii Musah, the owner of the mining pit, identified the deceased as his workers: Subil Nmabil, aged about 30; Musah Zipati, aged about 40; and Onyin Udasaa, aged about 35.
The Police detail that careful examination of the bodies revealed a deep cut on the left rib of deceased Subil Nmabil.
Also, multiple head injuries on Musah Zipati, and a smashed right hand on Onyin Udasaa.
A press statement dated February 17 indicated, “Upon receipt of the information, the police proceeded to the scene at Tarkwa. On arrival, it was observed that some young men had entered the mining pit and retrieved three lifeless bodies, which were being kept in sacks”.
“The bodies were removed from the sacks, and the mining pit owner, Tii Musah, identified the deceased to the police as his workers, namely: Subil Nmabil, aged about 30 years; Musah Zipati, aged about 40 years; and Onyin Udasaa, aged about 35 years.”
The bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to the Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga, for clinical examination and were pronounced dead by the Medical Officer on duty, with their bodies subsequently deposited at the hospital morgue.
In related news, the Rapid Response team of the Forestry Commission has also arrested 28 Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians.
The Forestry Commission foils attempts by the galamseyers to mine illegally in the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
According to the Forestry Commission, the miners were found to have pitched camp, pretending to be granted a permit to reclaim the land.
The illegal miners were arrested in Compartment 17 of the Apamprama Forest Reserve near the Obeng ne Obeng community, where four erected structures were immobilised.
One pickup truck, one Foton mini truck, and one generator were seized from the operation.
In a related operation by the Forestry Commission, eleven Chinese nationals and ten Ghanaians have been arrested by the Forestry Commission over illegal mining activities in the Yakombo Forest Reserve in the Buipe Forest District of the Savannah Region.
Reports reveal that the 21 arrested follow an intelligence-driven raid which occurred on Tuesday, December 2, by a 51-member team made up of forest guards.
The suspects were arrested in Ghana’s largest forest reserve.
The suspects arrested are namely:” Tang Shao Qi (28), He Peng (40), Zhou Qin Sar (25), Wu Xu (39), He Chuang Ye (45), Cheng Lin (40), Long Xi (32), Yang Gesheng (51), Zhang Honzhaojie (34), Zhou Peng (39), and Wu Yujie (24).
The Ghanaians suspected are Alhassan Yakubu, Daniel Mba (33), Pious Kwabena (20), Emmanuel Amankra (40), Seidu Suleman (44), Sampson Akawuni (22), Thadeus Gideon (27), Mohammed Salim (21), Mohammed Kanamu (25), and Saaka Yakubu (22)”.
The Forestry Commission operation also led to the seizure of one Toyota Hilux, two Great Wall pick-up trucks, three Howo tipper trucks, and one Man Diesel low-bed truck carrying an excavator.
The 21 suspects have since been transferred to the Damongo Regional Police Command for investigations and possible prosecution.