Tarkwa, Oct. 7, GNA - Two small scale miners (Galamsey operators), have been fined GH¢600 each for mining in the Bonsa River, which serves as the source of drinking water for Tarkwa and its environs. Richard Agboga, 28, and Tony Ibe, 25, pleaded guilty. Prosecuting Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainant, Nana Kwesi Atobrah II is the Chief of Esuoso.

He said on February 28, Agboga, and Ibe, carried a dredge machine into the river at Esuoso to prospect for gold without authority. Inspector Amponsah said the accused persons were arrested by the youth of the Town and handed over to the Police.

The prosecutor said during investigations the convicts admitted the offense and mentioned one Nana Kwabena Gyan II, as the one who gave the lan= d to them at a fee of GH¢3,000 to prospect for gold. He said on March 21, Nana Gyan reported himself at the Police station and during interrogation he admitted granting the two the permit to prospec= t for gold in the area. The court however acquitted and discharged Nana Gyan with the reason that Agboga and Ibe were not asked to carry out their mining activities in the river.