The Elmina Traditional Council has ordered the �galamsey� operators at the Elmina Beach in the Central Region to stop their activities and leave.
Reports say the Minerals Commission has also asked them to stop �harvesting� gold nuggets washed ashore the Elmina beach.
But the residents, angered at the quit order, have hit the streets in protest.
By law minerals of any kind belong to the state and cannot be exploited by any individual in whom no such rights have been vested. The resource is to be used for the collective development of the country.
Any individual with vested interest in exploiting any mineral must seek approval from the appropriate state institution.
The discovery of the precious mineral there has attracted many people including outsiders. Fishermen are said to have abandoned their canoes to join those scavenging the wet sand with the hope of making a fortune.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Akwamuhene Nana Kwadwo Adoakwa said the �galamsey� operators have been given three days to stop their activities and pack their bag and baggage and leave.
He said officials from the Western Region Environmental Protection Agency and the Geological Survey Department have visited the Elmina Beach and taken samples of the gold ore for analysis.
Source: Peacefmonline.com with additional files from GBC
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