A 27-year old small-scale miner at the weekend drowned in a deep open mining pit at Abodom in the Bekwai Municipality.

Kwaku Nsiah fell into the pit whilst returning home at the close of work at about 1800 hours.

The body of the deceased was later recovered by rescuers and had since been deposited at the Bekwai Hospital mortuary.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Daniel Amoako, the Municipal Commander, confirmed the incident to the GNA and said the police are investigating the matter and the mine pit said to be owned by one Atta, who is now on the run.

DSP Amoako expressed concern about the indiscriminate activities of illegal miners in the area and vowed to rein them in.

He said the deep uncovered pits dug all over the place had become a major danger and this could not be allowed to continue.

He said there is also the destruction of farms and pollution of water bodies, something that is fueling anger and tension between the people in the communities and the invading miners.**