Illegal Miners resist attempts by 'Operation Vanguard' to Eject them from GREL Concession

Illegal Miners numbering over 800 have today fiercely resisted attempts by the anti-illegal mining taskforce - Operation Vanguard, to eject them from the concession of the Ghana Rubber Estate near Adiewoso in Western Region.

These ‘galamsaysers’ swore not to leave the concession, adding that, they are operating legal community mines.

They said they will resist any attempt by the taskforce to stop ‘their only source of livelihood’.

They were captured chanting war songs

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The Operation Vanguard team had to abort the operation because of the resistance from the illegal miners.

Superintendent Douglas Kumi, the officer commanding for Operation Vanguard in the Western Region said their intention was to invite the leadership of the miners to engage with them on their operations and ascertain if their activities were legal.

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He said they are disappointed in the leadership over their inability to control the miners in their conduct hence the security personnel will go back to their station, reorganize themselves and return to the site.

"Looking at the numbers and the situation, we will withdraw and get organized again.”

“We cannot arrest all the people and therefore we have also not inspected their documents to know whether what they are doing is legal or illegal. We came with the intention of taking the leadership, sit down with them and know their background… But the leadership has proven to me this morning that they will not be able to control the people and if that is so, as police we will go back and reorganize,” he said.