By Mark Nyepan, Maryland County Correspondent
Cell: 231880623357/231779164320
Police in Maryland County say there is no illegal mining activities being carried out by Chinese at the Chinese Camp, in Pleebo City, Maryland County.
Some Chinese Nationals were arrested recently following outcries and alarm raised by citizens in the Chinese Camp area in Zone 9, Pleebo, during the morning hours of Saturday, February 24, 2024, claiming that Chinese were engaged in mining activities.
The citizens accused the Chinese Nationals of doing illegal mining activities in the zone 9 area in Pleebo City, which prompted the police to investigate the allegations.
The citizens drew the attention of the Police Chief Investigator in Pleebo, Detective CID Jimmie T. Kaydor who led a team of joint security personnel, including local authorities in Pleebo District, and they proceeded on the scene and brought to arrest the semi-riotous situation.
During the investigation, it was established that two holes were dug by an excavator, that the Kata-kata machine (usually used for mining) was installed over the hole, which indicated mining activities, and a truck full of dirt assuming to be mixed with gold was on the scene.
The joint security and local authority engaged the manager of the company, Mr. Romeo Leo and the Chief Executive Officer of the SOAR Mining Inc., Mr. Tao Yemie.
During police investigations, the company’s management told investigators that they are licensed mining company, and they are collecting samples for testing at their residence and because of this the management decided to dig the holes to curtail the water running in the community for hazard.
The management also told police investigators that the red dirt that was in the truck was taken from Grand Kru meant to process samples. The management noted that when comparison was done, police investigators said it was proven that the red dirt was not from Maryland as citizens alleged. The investigating team concluded that there were no mining activities being carried out at the site. The police, however, advised the SOAR Mining Inc. management to close the hole until proper negotiations was made to continue with their process.
