Eight illegal miners have been arrested in the Gbane mining community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
The suspects who have been charged for unlawful entry into the operational area of Shaanxi mining company and allegedly stealing gold ore will on Monday be arraigned.
The Minerals Commission on the 2of January 23, 2019, shut down the operations of Shaanxi Mining Company following the death of 16 miners who were trapped by smoke as they used Kwesi Appiah pit to link Shaanxi mine allegedly to steal gold ore.
However, on last Saturday evening, the eight illegal miners were arrested within the operational area of Shaanxi mining company by security operatives of Company and handed over to the Police.
Even though the pit used by the miners to access the mine of Shaanxi is yet to be established, they were arrested with what is believed to be gold ore.
The Underground Mine Manager of Shaanxi mining company Thomas Tii Yenzanya , described, the activities of the illegal miners invading their operational areas as a threat to the mine and human lives.
“The illegal miners steal our gold ore, they also drill and blast especially pillars left for support, and the ground can easily collapse. They also have the tendency of coming into our mine with explosives to blast and steal our ore which is dangerous and if not stopped.”
“Ever since the minerals commission stopped us from working, these illegal miners have been entering our mine through unapproved means and stealing our ore.
They use explosives to blast our mine and make away with the ore, and when something happens to them, they (illegal miners) accuse Shaanxi mining of ‘killing’ them”.
Upper East Regional Police Commander ACP Ampofo Duku said, the suspects have been charged with unlawful purpose and alleged stealing of gold ore.
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By: Frederick Awuni | citinewsroom.com | Ghana