Ghana court frees Chinese nationals on trial for illegal mining

Three Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian who were standing trial for mining at the concession of Golden Star Bogoso Prestea Limited (GSBPL), without license have been freed.

The Tarkwa Circuit Court acquitted and discharged  Zhang Hoa, 27, a spare parts dealer, Sun Qun Shan, 46, and Lu Shi Lin, 44, excavator repairers, and Paul Cobbina an excavator operator,  for lack of prosecution.

The accused, who are residents of Low Cost and Atobrakrom in the Western region, pleaded not guilty and were granted a total of 180,000 Ghana cedis bail, while investigations continued.

Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo, the judge who presided over the case said the complainant, Captain (Rtd) John Saltson, Security Superintendent of GSBPL, failed to appear before the court on five different occasions and the accused were therefore, acquit and discharge.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah earlier on told the court that the complainant for some time now noted activities of illegal miners at the company’s concession.

He said on June 22, GSBPL the security had information that some Chinese nationals were operating within the company’s concession at Kumsuno near Bogoso, which is an active mining area for the company.

According to the prosecution, a report was made to the Prestea Police District Command.

Detective Amponsah said a police-military team patrolling the Prestea and Bogoso district, went to the area and arrested the accused persons who were prospecting for gold.

Source: GNA