All efforts to stop illegal mining at Ayesa beach at Elmina by security personnel had failed as the operators jump into the sea each time they see security personnel, making it difficult to apprehend the culprits.

The Elmina Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godfred Asare, said efforts by his outfit together with other security agencies drawn from the Municipality to stop the illegal mining by apprehending some of the operators had not succeeded.

He was briefing a two-member team from the Minerals Commission on Tuesday to discourage the illegal mining at the beach, which they said, was destroying the environment.

The team made up of Principal Inspectors of Mines, Mr. Obiri-Yeboah Twumasi and Mr. Evans Adade, had called on the Municipal Chief Executive for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA), Mr. Isaac Kweku Sam, to inform him about the checks.

DSP Asare called for naval assistance to help arrest the culprits to stem illegal mining before it gets out of hand; adding that the police had seized implements used by the illegal miners.

Mr. Sam expressed concern about the level of degradation of the environment in many parts of the country particularly river bodies, and that it was about time politicians called "a spade a spade."

He said failure to address the issue would do the country a great disservice and posterity would not forgive them and wondered why "people were waiting for the sea to enter their homes before they appreciate the seriousness of the problem."

A Task Force from the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission in Accra, led by Field Security Officer, Michael Tawiah Korley, stormed the Ayesa Beach on Tuesday to arrest the illegal miners who have dug deep trenches at the beach.

The miners who apparently got wind of the operation bolted leaving their implements behind.

The GNA observed that the sea was hitting the walls of some houses and some residents said it was now dangerous to walk along the beach since the sea was getting nearer to their houses.

Mr. Twumasi said the Commission had plans to inaugurate a task force for the Central Region that would combat sand winners and illegal mining.**