Some mining equipment confiscated from illicit miners operating within forest reserves in the Ashanti Region was burned by the Forestry Commission (FC).

The tools include 12 excavators, 12 powerful pumping units, and temporary wooden habitations.

The Bunusu section of the Oda River Forest Reserve and the Koboro-Odaho section of the Apamprama Forest Reserves, both in the Bekwai Forest District, both saw the seizure of mining equipment.

These followed an operation by staff of the Bekwai Forest District of the Ashanti Regional Forest Services Division (FSD) of the commission, with support from the rapid response team of the commission.

Also, three Chinese who were undertaking illegal mining in the Oda River Forest Reserve are currently on trial at the Bekwai Circuit Court following their arrest in December last year.

Patrol

In an interview, Clement Omari, Regional Manager of FSD for the Ashanti Region, revealed that the effort was a component of the FC's campaign against unauthorized mining in the country's forest reserves.

He claimed that when they spotted the excavators operating in the reserves, FSD staff members were performing their routine patrol responsibilities in the two forest reserves.

No one has yet come forward to claim ownership of the equipment, and no arrests have been made.

Oda River Forest Reserve

The Oda River Forest Reserve is one of the prime production forest reserves in the Ashanti Region for timber production.

It covers an area of 164.43km², out of which about 32.86km², which represents about 20 percent of the reserve, lies within the Amansie West Administrative District, whereas the remaining 80 percent (131.57km²) falls under the Amansie Central Administrative District.

Both the Oda River and Apamprama Forest Reserves serve as watersheds for the Oda River, which is one of the major rivers in Ghana.

It is home to a wide variety of biodiversity and serves as a source of drinking water for communities downstream, including the Obuasi Municipality.