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ILLEGAL MINING which continues to claim lives and destruction of the environment has once again claimed an innocent life at Oworomra, near Akyem Pankese in the Birim North district of the Eastern region. The victim, Kofi Obeng, a 15-year old Junior High School student met his untimely death last Saturday April 5, 2014 when he fell in a deep pit dug by some galamsey operators and others who had gone to the site to look for gold known as 'kolikoli' by the miners. Obeng and Emmanuel Donkor were rushed to the Nkawkaw Holy Family hospital, but he (Obeng) was pronounced dead on arrival. The other victim, Donkor, is still on admission at the hospital. The Nkawkaw District Police Commander, Seth Yirenkyi confirmed the story and said no arrest had been made so far, but investigations were ongoing. Residents of the town have expressed their displeasure about the failure of the police to arrest the leaders of the illegal miners since they (galamseyers) failed to stop teenagers from entering the site and also failed to cover the many pits dug in the area. Two personalities who have been named as the leaders of the miners were given as only Osofo and Stephen. When Osofo was contacted on phone, he snubbed this reporter and said he was not prepared to talk to any journalist and did not want the incident to be published by any media house. The operations of illegal mining have polluted the Nwin River which used to serve many communities in both Kwahu and Akyem areas. Communities along the river now depend on sachet water for drinking with others constructing wells in their homes before getting potable water.