Authorities have arrested ten individuals, including seven Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals, at the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.

According to reports, the illicit mining operations were uncovered within the Oda River Forest Reserve, leading to the apprehension of the illegal miners by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forestry Commission.

The three-day operation conducted by the Forestry Commission played a crucial role in the government's initiatives to tackle the issue of illegal mining in the country.

The Executive Director of the Forest Service Division, Hugh Brown, informed the newspaper that the illegal miners were active in seven distinct compartments of the Oda River Forest Reserve. This area has been classified as a 'red zone' due to the alarming prevalence of illegal mining activities.

“In addition, 10 excavators, 19 fuel tanks, 9 power plants, 2 'chanfang' machines, 4 motorbikes, 5 water pumping machines and 7 wooden structures were demolished,” he said.

According to the Executive Director, seven of the suspects- Michael Korsah, Basit Shizu, Amadu Musah, Prince Boakye, Amedodzi Kofi, Akwasi Adu and Shi Tiachao appeared before the court on December 7 after they were arrested on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

The remaining seven, Bernard Sarkodie, Li Tauhai and Rao Shifa appeared before the court on December 8 after their arrest on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

“All ten suspects have been remanded into police custody for one week,” he stated.

The arrest of the illegal miners in the Oda River Forest Reserve comes just one week after the arrest of Aisha Huang, a Chinese national accused of engaging in illegal mining activities.