Illegal mica mining in Skardu: Chinese national given 3-month jail, Rs500,000 fine

SKARDU: A Chinese national, illegally mining mica in Skardu, could not produce other necessary documents including a permit, and Executive Magistrate Aamir Rana sentenced him to three-month imprisonment and a fine of Rs5 lakh under Section 171 of the Mining Concession Rules 2016.

According to official statement, bail of accused Pen Weiguo was cancelled and he was arrested by the police after being sentenced by the executive magistrate. He would be shifted to the district jail on Friday (today).

On Thursday, Deputy Director Mines and Minerals Department Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain conducted a surprise raid in the mining area at different locations of Gulappur in Shiger district and seized minerals, collected through illegal mining from local people. He told The News “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.

"Foreigners, who are mining with legal documents, will be supported by all relevant government agencies.” Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner Skardu Capt (retd) Aamir Rana told The News that any miner doing sale and purchase of precious or industrial stones without legal permit will be fined and punished according to the law.