| Fresh Clashes in Uvs Province |
| Written by Ch.Sumiyabazar | |
| Friday, July 30, 2010. | |
|
On July 22, 17 people were arrested after security guards of a Chinese
wholly-owned gold mining company in western Mongolia clashed with over
300 illegal miners. The clash took place at GCCI company’s mining site
located in Omnogobi soum of Uvs province.
Two hour long fight involved gas pistol “warning” shoots by security guards, 14 illegal miners were later released on bail, and three remained in detain for further criminal investigation on charge of robbery. The company was found operating illegally since July 1, when the local professional inspection authority have stopped the mine. A special working group deployed by the government to the province to assess the situation last week. It is unclear what caused the incident and police continue investigation. According to press reports, local residents claimed that the company is spoiling main water source of the region – Orlogo River, and late cases of abnormalities among local people and animals might involve chemical contamination by gold miners. |