Two young men have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities on the Brim River. The arrests were made during an operation by security officers seeking to clamp down on galamsey in the area.
During an interaction with the authorities, the suspects denied any direct involvement in mining and instead pointed fingers at one individual, identified only as Paapa, whom they alleged to be the true owner of the site.
The young men expressed their willingness to lead officers to Paapa’s residence for a possible arrest. However, witnesses say the officers appeared reluctant to pursue the lead, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the operation.
The development has sparked questions about the effectiveness of anti-galamsey efforts, particularly when credible leads on alleged financiers or site owners are not actively pursued. Community members fear that without accountability for those behind the scenes, illegal mining activities will persist despite arrests of on-site workers.
Illegal mining on rivers such as the Brim poses a significant environmental threat, contributing to water pollution, the destruction of aquatic life, and severe health risks for residents who depend on the river for daily use.
Authorities are under increasing pressure to intensify operations, ensure transparency in their enforcement efforts, and go after the individuals financing and directing galamsey operations, rather than only those found at the sites.
