Advertisement

7 Chinese arrested for illegal mining

Seven Chinese have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining operations on the concessions of some Ghanaian small-scale mining companies at Manso Abodom in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region.

The suspects — Jiang Shi Xin, Lu Jian Xiang, Jiang Yao Zhong, Ye Sheng Zhong, Zhang Jian Zhong, Chen Lian Li and Xie Guiang — were arrested at the mining site at Manso Abodom last Wednesday.

Their two Ghanaian accomplices, Evans Agropa and Daniel Gyawu, who are General Manager and Site Manager respectively of HANSOL Mining company limited, were also arrested.

The suspects’ arrest was in response to a complaint by the directors of ORE ROYAL and BENE mining companies that the Chinese were mining in their concessions.

The suspects had set up camp on the concessions and were using heavy duty mining equipment  to engage in illegal mining when they were arrested.

A pump action gun with 69 AA cartridges was retrieved from the suspects during their arrest.

The police have started investigations  to ascertain whether or not the suspects had licence to use weapons  in the country.

They are also investigating the immigration status of the suspects,  as well as the people behind their illegal mining activities at Manso Abodom.

Briefing the media on the arrest of the  seven Chinese miners,  the Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Muhammed Yusif Tanko, said the police decided to investigate the complaint by Messrs Baffour Awuah Frimpong and Kwame Nuako, the directors of ORE ROYAL  and BENA mining companies that some  foreigners had encroached on their concessions at Manso Abodom.

As part of their investigations, the police arrested the suspects after seeing them (suspects) busily prospecting for mineral ore with heavy duty mining equipment during a visit to the site.

Mr Tanko said the suspects, who allegedly admitted to have engaged in illegal mining in their caution statement,  had been granted police enquiry bail.

He said the suspects would be put before court soon after investigations.

Earlier this month, the Bekwai Divisional  Police Command also arrested an illegal Chinese miner alleged to have shot and wounded three Ghanaians with an AK-47 assault rifle.

The suspect, Xia Gui Xiang, has been remanded into police custody for two weeks pending further investigations.

The victims, identified as Kofi Bobie, Kwame Kyerematen and Kwaku Manu, who were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, are  said  to be responding to treatment.

The victims  were  said to be among the youth of Manso Abodom who had entered the camp of the Chinese carrying out illegal mining  on the concession of  Finger Mining Limited when they were shot.

Story by George Ernest Asare

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |