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Twenty seven illegal miners operating in the Atiwa District and the East Akim municipality have been arrested by the presidential taskforce on illegal mining. 35 excavators, 21 water pumps and some chemicals used by the illegal miners were also seized. The suspects made up of 27 Ghanaians, 2 Chinese and 2 Taiwanese were arrested at their sites at Ahwenease, Akyem Akwadum, Kyesi, Adadietem, Kyebi Afiesa, Ankaase Amonom and Akrofufu. Addressing Okay FM after the arrest, the deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mavis Ama Frimpong expressed concern over the rate of degradation caused by illegal mining. She said although government is not against small scale mining, it will deal seriously with any person caught doing it illegally. The deputy regional minister added that as a result of the illegal mining activities, aquatic life in the Buem River is being threatened. According to her after pits have been dug, most of these illegal miners usually leave them uncovered which is also dangerous to human life. �There is a school in Eastern Region for the deaf; these illegal miners have dug trenches leading to the school. Imagine if a deaf student fell into any of the trench, how can he or she scream for help?� she asked. She advised that if anybody or an organize wants to go into mining operations; it would be prudent to visit the offices of the mineral commission to obtain license to carry out their activity.