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Chinese Entrepreneurs Flout Mining Rules in Ghana

By Joel ScanlonMar 15 2011

Chinese entrepreneurs seem to be illegally mining gold in Ghana. The African nation’s laws say that foreign companies are allowed to work on large open pit operations only. However some Chinese gold prospector seem to be illegally controlling small scale mining operations from behind the scenes using a local intermediary.

It has been found by security forces that in increasing number of small scale gold mines in Ghana are actually controlled by Chinese fortune seekers. The village chief of Dikoto was last year brought up in front of the Minerals Commission and warned against hosting illegal Chinese mining activities.

In separate incidents about 25 Chinese nationals have been arrested related to cases of illegal mining this year alone. The areas usually targeted have rural remote communities that have seen little economic development. The communities welcome the Chinese as they bring the necessary money and tools to extract the gold and make it easy for the villagers to get work.

Ghana is the second largest exporter of gold in Africa and these illegal mines produce nearly 20% of the nation’s gold. The Chinese are Africa’s largest trade partners as far as sheer volume goes. However the stamping out of illegal mining will also see that partnership under some level of strain.

Written by

Joel Scanlon

Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.

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Scanlon, Joel. (2019, March 19). Chinese Entrepreneurs Flout Mining Rules in Ghana. AZoMining. Retrieved on May 18, 2024 from https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3710.
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Scanlon, Joel. "Chinese Entrepreneurs Flout Mining Rules in Ghana". AZoMining. 18 May 2024. <https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3710>.
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Scanlon, Joel. "Chinese Entrepreneurs Flout Mining Rules in Ghana". AZoMining. https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3710. (accessed May 18, 2024).
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Scanlon, Joel. 2019. Chinese Entrepreneurs Flout Mining Rules in Ghana. AZoMining, viewed 18 May 2024, https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3710.