The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice has designated two Courts (Koforidua High Court 3 and Circuit Court B) to hear illegal mining cases in the Eastern Region.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, who disclosed this at a meeting with Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for mines, Mr George Mireku Duker, last Thursday reiterated the government's assurance to curbing illegal mining in the country.

He said illegal mining was not only dangerous but also generally associated with lawlessness and warned that the government would not stand by and watch a few selfish people destroy the environment.

He urged the police and traditional leaders to use the facility to ensure a timely and fair trial on mining-related cases.

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, said the government was finding a sustainable solution to the old-age problem of illegal mining and would not accept irresponsible mining; mining in and along the rivers and mining in the forest reserve which are a threat to the existence of human beings and animal and plant species.

He outlined measures that the government had put in place to ensure responsible mining. They include the deployment of a speedboat to patrol the river bodies, recruitment of river wardens to permanently police the river banks and the distribution of mercury-free gold processing machines to small-scale mining operators.