Illegal miners target Neung South Forest Reserve

Reports indicate that some unidentified illegal miners are planning to enter and mine in the Neung South Forest Reserve in the Tarkwa District of the Western Region.

Eyewitnesses in nearby communities have sighted three excavator machines and a washing plant parked about 700 meters away from the Forest Reserve.

According to the reports, the illegal miners have mounted barriers to restrict Forestry Commission (FC) staff from accessing the Reserve.

The illegal miners blame the FC staff for looking on while one of their own was allegedly killed by the concession guards of Messrs Kapsord Mining Limited.

Prior to the arrival of Messrs Kapsord Mining Limited, the report showed that illegal miners dominated the area.

However, Messrs Kapsord Mining Limited have taken over and mounted a security post with their concession guards to protect their assigned portion.

The security post, according to the reports, was set ablaze by unknown person(s) following the shooting incident between the concession guards and the illegal miners around the area.

The reports indicated that heavily built armed men in camouflaged military uniforms in a Toyota pickup vehicle were seen about 100 meters away from where the barricades were mounted and drove at high speed to the Reserve.