A task force set up by the small scale miners association of Ghana has apprehended seven illegal miners who dredge and mine on the Birim river at Abomosu in the Atiwa district of the Eastern region.

The task force also set ablaze twenty dredgers, otherwise known as Chamfan machines. Their action is to complement government's efforts at fighting illegal mining.

The task force since its establishment, has been supporting the fight against illegal mining in the Ashanti, Eastern, Central and Western regions.

Their operations which will last a week in the Eastern region are targeted at flushing out galamseyers especially those who dredge river bodies.

Commander of the task force Bresie Andoh, told journalists the 20 mining equipment destroyed are valued at GHC300,000.

The task force also retrieved ten industrial-sized barrels of diesel amounting to GHC100,000.

The suspects are currently in the custody of the Kwabeng district Police Command.

They will soon be prosecuted.