Farmer fined GH¢360.00 for illegal mining

A Tarkwa Circuit Court has fined one Alhassan Seidu, a 29 year-old farmer, GH¢360.00 or in default 9 months imprisonment in hard labour, for engaging in illegal mining on the concession of Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa mine.

He pleaded guilty.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr. Justice Obeng Asante that, the complainants are security officers of Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa mine, while the accused is a farmer at Huniso community near Tarkwa.

Inspector Amponsah said around 2310 hours on May 6, the security officers of the company were on their usual patrol duty and on reaching the Kontraverchy pit, which is within the company’s concession, spotted the accused engaging in illegal mining.

The Prosecutor said when the accused was questioned, he could not give any tangible explanation for being there and he was arrested.

Inspector Amponsah the accused person was handed over to the police together with a hammer found on him and was charged with the offence after investigation.