The 29 illegal miners arrested in the Atiwa Rain Forest Reserve on Thursday night have been arraigned before court. They have subsequently been remanded to appear on Tuesday, January 31, 3news.com’s Eastern Region reporter has said.

The 29 were arrested by a Rapid Task Force made up of security personnel in the Atiwa District of the Eastern Region.

Among the arrested on Thursday were Malians and Nigeriens aged between 17 and 45. The officers said they got hint that the West African nationals had entered the forest reserve operating illegally with devices that can detect gold reserve and possible prospecting.

Activities of illegal miners in the Atiwa Rain Forest have polluted the Ayensu, Densu and Birim rivers, whose source is in the forest.