Police plan swoops on illegal mining firms

The four suspects after their arrest.

The Police are teaming up with the Immigration Service and the Minerals Commission to vet the permits (residential and work) of some Chinese and other persons operating in mining concessions to ascertain if they are entitled to engage in such a business.

According to Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbilla, the action follows the arrest last week of four suspected armed robbers who planned an attack on Hansol Mining Company, a Chinese-owned mining company at Atabrakoso, located on the main Obuasi-Dunkwa road. The robbers were however busted before they could strike.

The police say the special exercise will also affect galamsey operators.

DCOP Patrick Timbilla told Joy News, “There is also another call for us to investigate …whether the Chinese company has concession, legally so to work there and whether the other Chinese or all the other Chinese were covered properly with documentation so far as resident permits and those things (were concerned)…. We wish that all the regions the Minerals Commission should furnish us with the details of those who have been given concessions to work, especially this Chinese company and I hope it will be replicated by other regions…The galamsey thing is too much.”

Story by Joy News/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana