MAPUTO, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Mozambican authorities announced here on Tuesday the arrest of nine Malawians found to be carrying out illegal mining in the National Reserve of Niassa, northern Mozambique.
According to police in that province, the so-called 'garimpeiros' were carrying out activities in the district of Mecula.
"The citizens detained have been researching and exploiting mineral resources within the Niassa National Reserve, and it is the second time they have been found and expelled, but some of them (six) returned," said Miguel Bilhardo from local police.
He added that the citizens are in illegal situation, and they will be repatriated within days, due to the lack of space in jails of that province.
"In addition to the threat to the environment, what is most worrying us as authorities is the fact that the illegal mining activities are done in places of high risk of landslide," said Bilhardo.
The illegal miners have been searching for gold, green tourmaline, and copper, using sieves and sacks to extract the minerals. Enditem
