Chinese gold miners have been ordered by the Migori court to vacate Macalder Mines within Nyatike in Migori County after it was established that they were engaging in the activities illegally. While issuing the ruling on a petition that had been filed at the Environment and Lands Court by Nyatike Member of Parliament Tom Odege in 2017,   Migori High Court Judge George Ong’ondo ruled that the Chinese miners had illegally occupied the mines.The Judge further directed that the Chinese remove all the machines from the mineral rich Macalder mines and stop undertaking any mining activity within Nyatike constituency. The legislator  had gone to court seeking orders to evict Lijin Mining Company, owned  by  the  Chinese   over  their operations  without  license which he said to have contravened the Mining Act of 2006. He further sought the removal of all the   machines and other mining equipment  erected at the Macalder mines as well as compensation for the locals who were affected  by the mining activities in the area.In his ruling, the Judge however declined to uphold the order seeking to compensate the locals through public projects in the Nyatike constituency as sought by their Mp. The presence of   foreigner  at Macalder mines had   generated a heated debate   among the locals who were questioning   their mode of operation since they were allegedly  protected   by armed police officers.

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