China and Ghana Agree to Crack Down on Illegal Gold Mining

 Intellinews published on 14 September 2026 an article titled "Ghana, China Expand Mining Cooperation as Accra Targets Illegal Gold Mining."

Ghana and China have agreed to strengthen oversight of Chinese mining companies operating in Ghana and deepen geological cooperation as Accra intensifies its campaign against illegal gold mining. Chinese groups have a significant presence in Ghana's gold industry.  The new arrangement is intended to strengthen enforcement against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, and even permit Chinese authorities to take action against Chinese nationals found to have breached Ghanaian mining laws. 

Chinese Arraigned in Nigeria for Illegal Mining

 The Daily Post published on 1 June 2026 an article titled "15 Chinese Nationals, Nine Nigerians Docked Over Alleged Illegal Lithium Mining in Nasarawa" by Chris Johnson.

Nigeria has arraigned 15 Chinese nationals and 9 Nigerians for engaging in the unlawful extraction of lithium.  It is one of the most significant arrests by Nigeria's Mining Marshals.

Illegal Chinese Mining in Nigeria Results in Dustup with US

 China-Africa Security Radar published on 16 February 2026 an analysis titled "Beijing Rejects U.S. Allegations of Financing Terror in Nigeria's Illegal Mining Sector--The Reality Is More Complex."

Prominent Republican members of the US Congress have sponsored a bill that alleges Chinese individuals and companies involved in illegal mining pay "protection money" to Fulani militias and other armed groups to secure access to lithium and gold deposits.  The bill links these militias to terrorist violence that has impacted Nigerian Christian communities.

The Chinese embassy in Abuja issued a strongly worded statement refuting allegations that Chinese nationals are funding militant groups to gain access to minerals in Nigeria's Middle Belt and northwestern region.  

China-Africa Security Radar concludes that it is generally agreed there is illegal Chinese mining in Nigeria, but the culprits are pragmatically paying "rent" to armed groups to access the minerals.

Chinese Investment in Zambia

 News Diggers recently aired a 54-minute video documentary titled "Chinese Investment in Zambia -- the Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous" by Joseph Mwenda.

The documentary focuses on environmental damage caused by the collapse of a copper mine tailing dam controlled by Sino-Metals Ltd., sulfur dioxide released into the air by Avocado Mining Ltd., and dangerous working conditions in artisanal copper mines where Rong Xing Investment buys much of the production.  

China's embassy in Lusaka tried to prevent the airing of this controversial documentary.   

Ghana: Illegal Chinese Miners Returned to China for Prosecution

 Citi Newsroom published on 8 April 2025 an article titled "Chinese Govt Prosecuting Nationals Deported from Ghana Over Galamsey" by Hafiz Tijani.

Ghana recently deported 30 Chinese nationals arrested for engaging in illegal mining to China for prosecution.  The government of China has expressed support for Ghana's actions, describing the involvement of its nationals in illegal mining as "disgraceful" and damaging its relations with Ghana.

Chinese Nationals Implicated in Nigeria's Illegal Lithium Mining

 The Associated Press published on 26 May 2024 an article titled "Nigeria Is Emerging as a Critical Mineral Hub.  The Government Is Cracking Down on Illegal Operations" by Taiwo Adebayo.

Nigerian authorities recently arrested 32 persons, including two Chinese nationals, for engaging in illegal lithium mining.  These arrests follow earlier seizures of lithium and arrest of Chinese nationals, who employ Nigerians to dig for the lithium at remote sites.

Chinese Nationals Arrested in Libya

 BNN Network published on 4 December 2023 an article titled "Illegal Gold Mining Network Uncovered in Libyan Desert" by Israel Ojoko.  

Libya dismantled an illegal gold mining operation in the desert spearheaded by a Libyan and involving nationals from China, Chad, and Niger.  Libyan authorities had earlier arrested dozens of Chinese nationals in a rogue cryptocurrency mining network.