A Chinese individual involved in illegal mica mining in Skardu was sentenced to three months in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakh under Section 171 of the Mining Concession Rules 2016 on Friday.
Executive Magistrate Aamir Rana sentenced a Chinese national because he failed to provide a permit and other required documentation for mining mica in Skardu.
An official statement states that after the executive magistrate sentenced accused Pen Weiguo, his bail was revoked and he was taken into custody by the police. He was moved to the district jail on Friday.
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The deputy director of the Mines and Minerals Department in Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain carried out an unexpected search on Thursday in the mining sector at several sites of Gulappur in the Shiger district. He recovered minerals that had been obtained from locals through unlawful mining.
While talking to local media, Amjad Hussain said, “We are taking action against the accused after receiving credible information and we have received clear instructions from the Gilgit-Baltistan administration to take strict legal action against local and foreign miners, who are doing illegal mining.”
On The Minerals Department staff, along with a magistrate and police, recovered 65 tons of mica from the residence of a Chinese national, residing in Skardu city.