Illegal miners caught in collapse in Gansu

Illegal miners caught in collapse in Gansu

Four people illegally mining a lead and zinc mine were buried 1,800 meters underground on Jan. 4; state media reported yesterday.

Baiyin Nonferrous Metals Changba mining company, the owner of the mine, together with the Gansu provincial government, had teamed up to rescue the victims, who were members of a 30-strong group, but were unsuccessful, according to the China Youth Daily.

Part of the Changba lead-zinc mine, located in Huangzhu, Gansu Province, was shut down after a collapse in 1997 on government orders. It is China's second largest lead-zinc reserve with 3.2 million tons.

The Chinese government has taken measures to curb illegal mining since 2005. But higher raw material prices have led to more illegal mining.

Zhang Haijun, an official at Baiyin Nonferrous Metals, said, "our company has long taken measures to tackle the problem of ore thefts. We have regular patrols and the amount of illegal mining has fallen, compared with

[Interfax China, 25 January 2007]