Three individuals associated with the high-profile Aisha Huang illegal mining case have been charged with conspiracy to engage in unauthorized mining operations.
The charges cite violations of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 of 2019.
Li Wei Guo, the first accused, faces an additional charge of false representation in obtaining a work permit, contravening Section 52(1)(e) of the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573).
Similarly, Shi Mei Zhi and Nana Kwame Opoku (alias Obolo) have been charged with false representation in obtaining residence permits.
The third accused is also charged with facilitating non-Ghanaians’ involvement in illegal mining, a breach of Section 99(5)(b) of the amended Minerals and Mining Act.
The charges follows investigations that began on September 14, 2022, following intelligence from the Ministry of National Security in Kumasi.
The accused were apprehended at their residence in Paraku Estates near Daaban, Ashanti Region. With cross-examination of the second accused concluding on November 13 and the third accused commencing their defence on November 14, the case continues as authorities seek to enforce compliance with mining and immigration laws.
