Huambo, Oct. 12, (Xinhua/GNA) – At least 11 people have died over the past three months in central Angola’s Huambo province due to illegal mining, local police said on Saturday.
Huambo Provincial commander of the national police, Commissioner Francisco Ribas told the press that the deaths occurred in the municipalities of Bailundo, Ucuma, Chinjenje, Longonjo, Caala, Chicala-Cholohanga and Huambo.
The official explained that this part of the country is home to at least seven areas of artisanal gold mining, Commissioner Ribas said adding that in just three of the locations “the number of illegal miners reaches 2,000 people.”
The national police department in Huambo province will continue its efforts to discourage illegal mining in the area, said Commissioner Ribas.
GNA