31 Chinese netted in Sierra Leone illegal mining swoop

Sierra Leone's Presidential Julius Maada Bio. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Sierra Leone authorities have detained 31 Chinese nationals as part of a nationwide clampdown on illegal mining.

Reports of the arrests in the northern Tonkolili District on Wednesday came as a court in the eastern Kono District sentenced another group of 17 people, including 10 Chinese and two Turkish nationals, on similar charges.