The Operation Vanguard Taskforce has arrested three illegal miners in Akyem Abomosu in the Eastern region.

The miners have been identified as Kwame Takyi, Kudjo Asamoah and Kofi Gyasi. They have been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and mining without license.

They pleaded not guilty when they appeared before a Koforidua court.

The prosecutor, Superintendent Kofi Blagodzi, told the Court the accused persons were arrested among a group of illegal miners on December 13, 2017.

He said the trio were arrested in an attempt to abscond. The task force also seized equipment such as shovel, two pickaxes, a pumping machine, a washing mat and a rubber bowl.

They have been granted bail in the sum of Ghc35,000 with three sureties each.