Chinese in court for illegal mining

Assin Foso C/R, March 25, GNA - Seven Chinese were on Tuesday put before the Assin Foso District Magistrate Court charged with conspiracy and mining without license.

They were Zeng Quang Hua, Jia Hia Sheng, Zhen Quing Zai, Jia Tong Wen, Inang Xi Cheng, Yang Shoa Guei Ming and Yuan Jiang. Their pleas were not taken and were granted bail in the sum of GH¢ 5,0= 00 each with two sureties for all the accused persons and to re-appear on Ap= ril 7. The Presiding Magistrate Mr. Joseph Blay issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Zhong Gauxei and one Joe.

According to the prosecution, the District Manager of Small Scale-Mining=

Department of the Mineral Commission at Assin Foso received information o= n February 4 that the accused persons were illegally mining in the Offin Ri= ver at Assin Asamang.

He found two dredges anchored on the Offin River at two separate locations with the accused person excavating gravel from the river. Prosecution said upon inspection it was realized that the activities of illegal miners has resulted in siltation of the river. The seven accused persons were arrested and some of their working implements including an outboard motor, nine pieces of sieving carpet and= a chainsaw together with sand concentrates were seized from them. The accused person told police that they were flown to Ghana by one Zhon= g Gauzel, a Chinese businessman, and when they arrived in the country somet= ime in September last year, one Joe, a Ghanaian, transported them from Accra to Assin Assamang to work as labourers on the dredge boats. The Chinese businessman and Joe are on the run.