Five Chinese are on trial in Ghana for engaging in illegal mining. Local media reported that the five Chinese were arrested on Friday for mining in a river called ‘Ankobra’ in the western part of the country.
The River is one of the main water sources in that part of the country for dwellers.
The Finder Newspaper reported that the Chinese are currently in prison custody while their case is to be heard on Monday.
The Chinese suspects were identified as Dong Cheng, 30; Hung Jian, 51; Ning Guorui, 42; Yin Biquiang, 46 and Li Zilong, 44.
A police spokesperson whose identity wasn’t given told the Finder in Accra that the miners “claimed the proceeds realized from the illegal operations, had also been transferred to China, their home country, following the transaction with their counterpart”.
“They were busily mining gold in River Ankobra with impunity without any regard to environmental challenges, or legal requirements,” the police spokesperson added.
Ghanaian officials have been launching series of activities to get rid of all illegal miners both local and foreigners. That effort continues to face challenges.
The police also arrested some Ghanaians who were also engaged in the illegal mining in other parts of the region.
Recently a minister in the current government said authorities are finding alternative ways of tackling the illegal mining menace which has destroyed many water bodies in Ghana and the environment.
Source: Africafeeds.com
