The Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, has confirmed that all seven excavators seized during an anti-galamsey operation at Old Atetem remain in police custody as the prosecution of the suspects advances.

As part of her community engagement tour in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Bisiw-Kotei visited the Bekwai District Police Headquarters, where she was briefed by the Ashanti South Regional Police Command on the status of the case involving Chinese nationals arrested in June during her visit to the area.

Police officials assured her that the excavators are securely parked at the Command and have not been tampered with.

They further revealed that the case has entered the prosecution stage, with the arrested foreign nationals currently standing trial.

The Lead Prosecutor informed the MDF team that they will be required to provide testimony when called upon.

Dr. Bisiw-Kotei expressed satisfaction with the progress and pledged her support to ensure justice is served.

“I will attend the next court hearing to observe proceedings,” she said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to holding illegal mining actors accountable.

She emphasised that the laws of Ghana will be enforced to protect communities and national mineral resources from criminal exploitation.