One suspected illegal miner has been killed and another injured after suspected illegal miners allegedly opened fire on operatives of Operation GREEN SHIELD during an enforcement exercise in the Atiwa Forest Reserve.

Four people, including three Malian nationals and a Ghanaian, were arrested following the confrontation.

According to an operational account, the incident occurred on Monday, November 2, when personnel from the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) moved about 10 kilometres deeper into the forest to investigate another suspected illegal mining site identified through drone surveillance.

The foot patrol, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., led the operatives to a location where approximately 50 suspected illegal miners were reportedly working.

Some of the miners allegedly attempted to escape upon spotting the security team, while others reportedly opened fire on the operatives.

The team returned fire, killing one of the suspected miners and injuring another.

Two pump-action guns and six rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operation.

The injured suspect received first aid from the operatives before being transported to the Kyebi Government Hospital for further treatment.

The four suspects arrested during the operation were subsequently handed over to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for further action.