The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shut down a mining site in the Mpohor District operating under the name JKCem I AM Gold.

The site belongs to former Mpohor District Chief Executive (DCE) Asaah Mensah and Obed Osei.

The closure followed a nationwide mining compliance operation on Monday, May 18, led by Harrison Afful, the EPA's Deputy Director of Mining.

The operators are accused of operating without an environmental permit, discharging untreated underground water into the open environment, and employing Chinese nationals.

Afful stated that while the application submitted for the site was for small-scale mining, the actual scope of the project exceeds that classification. Furthermore, Ghanaian law prohibits foreign nationals from participating in small-scale mining operations.

The EPA indicated that the operators will face legal action for these environmental offences.