One suspected illegal miner has been killed and another injured following an exchange of gunfire between security operatives and suspected illegal miners in the Atiwa Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.
Four others, including three Malian nationals and a Ghanaian, were arrested during the operation, dubbed Operation GREEN SHIELD.
The incident occurred after operatives of the Anti-Small-Scale Mining Operations Brigade (ASOB) advanced about 10 kilometres into the forest to a suspected illegal mining site identified through drone surveillance.
According to the operational account, the team encountered about 50 suspected miners during a foot patrol conducted between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Some of the miners reportedly fled upon seeing the security personnel, while others opened fire on the team, forcing the operatives to return fire.
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One suspected miner died in the exchange, while another sustained injuries. The injured suspect was given first aid and transported to the Kyebi Government Hospital for further treatment.
Security personnel recovered two pump-action guns and six rounds of ammunition at the scene.
The four arrested suspects have since been handed over to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for further action.
No security personnel were reported injured during the operation.
