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A Taskforce set up by the Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Assembly to check illegal mining in the area, on Friday seized 16 excavators and other equipment. These included four water pumping machines and an unlicensed motorbike. The miners fled leaving their tools behind when they saw the members of the taskforce approaching. Mr Afrifa Yamoah-Ponkoh, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said they would stop at nothing to throw out those engaged in the illicit gold mining activity to protect the environment. The Municipality in recent times has been invaded by miners, who are polluting water sources and destroying the vegetative cover, something, the MCE warned, the Assembly is determined to tackle relentlessly. He mentioned Bomfa, Achiase and Peminase as the worst affected communities. Mr Yamoah-Ponkoh expressed concern about the numerous deep uncovered pits dug by the miners saying they posed danger to the safety of the people. �Our preoccupation for now is to see to the immediate closure of all the pits in the affected communities.� The MCE also spoke of plans to reclaim large swaths of mined lands. Mr Yamoah-Ponkoh said the exercise would be sustained, adding that, those found to be flouting the mining regulations would be dealt with.