Government is setting up a task force to deal with the issue of foreigners’ involvement in illegal mining activities in the country.

This follows a number of clashes that have ensued between some foreign illegal miners and local residents in some mining communities in Ghana.

Police in the Ashanti Region are currently investigating an incident that led to a clash between residents and some Chinese miners in the Amansie West District.

Four Chinese illegal miners allegedly opened fire at some residents who confronted the miners whose activities are said to be destroying the town’s only source of water supply and their farm lands.

Speaking on Radio XYZ 93.1 FM’s current affairs programme “The Analyst”, a Deputy Chief of Staff, Alex Segbefia noted that efforts are being made to streamline the processes of acquiring licenses for small scale mining activities in the country.

Mr Segbefia said “unlike most of our contracts where we are not benefiting from, we have to streamline the process [and] make sure that our environment is not affected.”

He said it has become necessary for government to deal with foreigners who engage in such activities by putting them before the courts and also deporting them if need be.**