Chinese miner shot dead in galamsey shooting

One Chinese man has been confirmed dead in what eyewitnesses allege was a shootout between agents of illegal Chinese miners and residents of Ebram in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.

Following an embargo on galamsey operations ordered by President Mahama last month, some persons have allegedly been looting expatriates engaged in illegal mining.

Amansie West District is notably dominated by Chinese illegal small scale miners accompanied by young vibrant youth in the district.

Navy Col. Kofi Nkrumah of the Inter-ministerial taskforce empowered to inject sanity into small scale mining was assisted by Capt. Bondah of 2BN military to arrest 17 Chinese and 6 Russian expatriate in the metropolis operating unlawfully as well as 92 Ghanaians.

Peace FM’s Gabby Adu Gyamfi reported on Friday that, all twelve (12) sites visited by the taskforce were set ablaze including 20 locally manufactured machines used by the miners to drill water bodies.

Speaking to Peacefmonline.com, he, however, said that “after the taskforce had left the scenes with 8 seized pick-up cars and some unknown items, residents of the district who work for the Chinese went to them for their money (Allowances). Upon their arrival, the Chinese man was attacked with a catapult and stones. He (Chinese man) rushed to his room for a gun. Upon that, he was shot by one of the workers in the head and died instantly”.

He added; “the police have arrested 3 culprits to help investigate while the body of the Chinese man remains in the morgue”

The small scale miners have alleged that the taskforce mounted swoops on their concessions, destroyed their equipment and made away with gold, money and other valuables.

Nonetheless, CEO’s of Akonta Mining and Hansol Mining Company Limited have alleged that over 2.5 billion dollars of their properties have been burnt by the taskforce across the country, though they claim they are not operating under the Chinese expatriate.

Meanwhile, Chinese residents in Ghana have expressed concern about the manner in which their residents are being treated in the country.