Minerals Commission Wants Illegal Chinese Miners Out

The Minerals Commission has stated that it has not granted any mining permits in the Amansie west District.

The Commission is also asking the security services to deport all Chinese galamsey operators in the district.

Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, Ben Aryee told Joy News in Accra that the Chinese have no business mining in the area because no such permits have been given to any company or individual there.

“Nobody, not a Chinese, nor any foreigner or even a Ghanaian, has a license on the area, in question”, Mr. Aryee stated.

He said even though a firm has applied to do exploration in the area, “it is still being reviewed”.

The Commission's reaction follows a violent clash Thursday between residents of Manso-Nsiena, a town in the district and some Chinese who are said to be engaged in illegal mining in the community.

The residents are protesting against the illegal mining activities of the Chinese which had terribly destroyed the environment and posed a health hazard to the community, which has a history of buruli ulcer.

The police picked the Chinese who were armed for questioning and the traditional authorities there will formally present a petition to government to demand their forcible ejection.