A Tarkwa Circuit Court has fined 12 nationals of Burkina Faso GHc960 each or in default six months imprisonment each for engaging in illegal "galamsey" operations.
They all pleaded guilty to prospecting for gold without authorisation.
The culprits are Sogbo Zakaria, 29, Ouedraogo Mumuni, 27, Sawadogo Nufu, 22, Diara Musah, 35, Ibrahim Jari, 21, and Kabore Mumuni, 26.
The rest are Sulley Kabore, 25, Sawadogo Salifu, 19, Iddisah Kafando, 20, Sawadogo Kadiri, 22, Kabore Adama, 20 and Owudrago Nuhu, 22.
Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng-Diawuo that on October 3 this year, the Police had information that the group was prospecting for gold without seeking authority, at the outskirts of Abosso a suburb of Tarkwa.
He said on reaching the spot, the group were busily operating and when arrested they alleged that some Ghanaians had invited them into the business.