A Tarkwa Circuit Court has fined Francis Hammond, a 45-year-old unemployed, an amount of 240 Ghana Cedis, for engaging in illegal mining activity on the concession of Goldfields Ghana Limited Tarkwa Mine.

Hammond pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal mining.

Prosecuting Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court, presided by Mr. Justice Obeng Asante that, on November 25, security personnel from Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine, went on their normal patrol duties in the Company’s concession.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said, on reaching the Akontasi Cat Seven Pit, they saw the accused person, who lived at Mankesim near Tarkwa, holding three empty sacks and a shovel.

He said the accused person was arrested with the items, and after a thorough investigation, was charged with the offence.