Chinese Miners Desert Manso-Nsiena

Chinese illegal miners have deserted the illegal goldmine at Manso-Nsiena in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region where violence broke on July 19, 2012.

Police said 15 of the Chinese nationals had left the camp since the disturbances leaving only three who were there on health grounds.

Before the violence, the Chinese had operated in the town for about two months, causing extensive destruction to the environment.

Bulldozers and other machinery used in the illegal activity have been grounded and there are no clear signs whether the Chinese would ever return to work in the area.

“I can tell you that mining activities have ceased but the police continue to provide 24-hour security,” the district police commander, Supt S.K. Kwakye told graphic.com.gh Wednesday.

Violence erupted at the illegal goldmine when the local people staged a massive demonstration against the continuous operation of the mine.

On that day the Chinese national fired several gunshots to scare away the advancing demonstrators who were protesting the destructive activities of the illegal miners.

Some of the enraged youth returned gunfire but no one was hurt.

Police from Manso-Nkwanta had to rush in to save the situation from further deterioration.

Fifteen Chinese nationals at the mining camp were picked up and sent to the regional police headquarters in Kumasi for questioning and had since been on bail.

Supt. Kwakye told this reporter that the town was now calm but his men would continue to be at the camp until further notice.

'We are there (Manso-Nsiena) to protect lives and property and nothing else,' he stressed.