Gold Madness In Ghana

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EDITOR?S NOTE:

It may be gratifying to many Ghanaians who have been worried and angry in recent years, wondering if corrupt government officials were overlooking Ghana government laws and allowing illegal miners to take over the lands of poor villagers and dumping toxic chemicals into streams. We call on the?Ministry of Interior and of Mining to publish the rules guiding foreigners who engage in surface mining, from Visas and Immigration requirements, mining permits and business licensing and costs. The Ministry should have a list of all such foreigners allowed in the country. Anybody who has lived in UK or America knows immigration laws are strict. In the US work permits are temporary and may be for two years. One can wait for more than 12 years for a permanent Visa in many cases.

If Ghana has 10,000 Chinese in a few years, one can estimate that may be a million in another few years. As much as all humans may be allowed into other countries, it is the rules and laws that guide human behavior, and conformance and enforcement that brings peace. There should be clear government assurance coming from the Ministers or even the President. ??Any increase in population in an area demands planning for resources: roads, water and electricity and other utilities, health care facilities, law enforcement, schools and housing. It is strongly recommended that local district and town governments should be given powers to regulate and control and collect taxes to manage such needs. That is how all modern societies manage. Ghana government should also plan and use part of the permit and other fees towards clean up and emergency services. All humans can live in peace but they must obey the laws of their host nations, and corrupt officials must not be allowed to bend rules for a few whose deviant character then may ruin relationships for all.

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Source:?Global Times-Agencies

Miner Li Zengquan holds up a gold block weighing over 700 grams in a mine in Kumasi, Ghana,on November 1. Photo: IC
Miner Li Zengquan holds up a gold block weighing over 700 grams in a mine in Kumasi, Ghana,on November 1. Photo: IC

As the price of gold has risen in recent years, many Chinese have swarmed the gold rush bandwagon in hopes of being lifted out of poverty and getting rich quick.
It?s estimated that more than 10,000 Chinese are engaged in gold mining in the Republic of Ghana, the world?s second-largest gold producer after South Africa, with known gold reserves reaching 985 tons.

However, due to Ghana?s intensified crackdown on illegal gold mining and increasing incidents of robbery, many Chinese find their dreams are out of reach.

On October 11, 16-year old gold miner Chen Long was shot dead during a joint action by Ghana?s police and immigration officials to investigate illegal gold mining by foreigners in the Ashanti region.

Some media reported that Chen fired to resist arrest. However, Chen Yufeng, Chen Long?s father who also worked there, said his son was found holding only an iPad after he was shot, the Beijing News reported.

During the two-day action, a total of 101 Chinese nationals were detained by police over allegations of gold mining without work or residence permits.

The Chinese embassy in Ghana responded immediately and requested a thorough investigation into the case. By October 17, all Chinese were bailed out.

The past year saw a series of such arrests, and it is reported that police took miners? mobile phones, computers and cash, and burned plants and equipment.

Chen is not the only Chinese gold miner to be killed in Ghana. Violent enforcement and robberies are not uncommon. Despite this, some are still risking their lives to reap high profits.

It is common to see factories that produce mining equipment and posters advertising Ghana work visa assistance in Shanglin county of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which a large number of Chinese miners in Ghana call home.

Following Chen?s death, the Chinese embassy in Ghana urged Chinese to obey local laws and be vigilant about security risks.

Lan Yuwu, a gold mining boss in Ghana, said because of the benefits small gold mines have brought to local authorities, tribe chiefs and landlords, it is unlikely that they will be eliminated any time soon.

Global Times ? Agencies

Two Chinese collect gold in a mine in Kumasi, Ghana, on November 3. Photo: IC
Two Chinese collect gold in a mine in Kumasi, Ghana, on November 3. Photo: IC
Two Chinese miners take their harvest to a work shed on November 3. Photo: IC
Two Chinese miners take their harvest to a work shed on November 3. Photo: IC

 

The Chinese saying,?Peace is most precious, harmony brings wealth,? is displayed on a wall of a miners? dormitory. Photo: IC
The Chinese saying,?Peace is most precious, harmony brings wealth,? is displayed on a wall of a miners? dormitory. Photo: IC

 

A worker resting on his bed shows a leg full of mosquito bites on October 31. Photo: IC
A worker resting on his bed shows a leg full of mosquito bites on October 31. Photo: IC

 

Posted in:?Frontpage?China?In-Depth

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