The Joint Taskforce (JTF) Operation Vanguard (OV) on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 June 2018 arrested one Chinese and four Ghanaians for illegal small-scale mining popularly known as galamsey in Amansie West and Amenfi West Districts.

The Ashanti Forward Operating Base (FOB) on Friday arrested a 52-year-old Chinese, Li Wenjeen at Kwakukrom near Apawa in the Amasie West District engaged in galamsey. Li was with some Ghanaian collaborators who bolted on seeing the patrol team. The patrol team gave them a chase and arrested Li.

The team immobilised one Hyundai, 1 Caterpillar and one Lishide excavator. The FOB further immobilised four washing plants, 10 changfans and seized some other mining equipment. The suspect and items seized have been handed over to the Bekwai Police Station for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The Western FOB on Thursday 21 June 2018 conducted operation in the Wassa Amenfi West District and covered areas such as Dominase, Kwarbeng, and Chensidanho general area. Four persons suspected to be engaging in galamsey were arrested. The team immobilised 15 changfans, three industrial water pumping machines, two excavators and seized other mining equipment.

The suspects and items seized were handed over to the Asankragua Police Station and they were arraigned before court on Wednesday, 28 June 2018.

FOB Central also conducted operations to illegal mining sites within the Upper Denkyira West and Twifo/Heman/Lower Denkyira Districts on Friday 21 June 2018. The team seized two excavators and immobilized 13 changfans, eight water pumping machines and other mining equipment.

Also, the Eastern FOB conducted operations in the Kwabibirem and Atiwa Districts on 22 and 23 June 2018 respectively. The team immobilised two excavators, two washing plants, four water pumping machines, seized three excavator batteries and other mining equipment.

Operation Vanguard has sent a stern warning to illegal miners to desist from the act.