The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has uncovered a heavily degraded illegal mining site near Adrekazo in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region during Day Two of its nationwide mining compliance exercise.
According to the EPA Mining Team, illegal miners had extensively destroyed a hilly vegetated area and were washing gold-bearing materials directly into wetlands and nearby water bodies without environmental protection measures such as slimes ponds for sediment control and water recycling.
The team immediately ordered a halt to all operations and directed the operators to report to the EPA’s Ellembelle Area Office to begin processes toward regularisation and responsible mining practices.
However, during a follow-up visit on Day Three, the miners had reportedly fled the site, abandoning equipment and materials including two old excavators, a heavy-duty generator plant, a compressor, a pumping machine, 1,287 litres of diesel fuel, and gold concentrate.
The EPA also disclosed that a new excavator seen at the site during the previous inspection had been removed before the team returned.
A man identified as Mr. Abeka Agogo, who claimed to be spokesperson for the alleged site owners, was arrested and handed over to the Sekondi Police Headquarters for further investigations.
A Toyota Tundra vehicle and other confiscated items have also been impounded.
The Authority said it is collaborating with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to evacuate equipment from the site and support reclamation and restoration efforts.
