A clandestine operation engaged in illegal gold mining within the vast Libyan desert, orchestrated by a Libyan leader, has been successfully dismantled, as revealed by the Prosecutor's Office on Sunday night.
This network, comprised of Chinese, Chadian, and Nigerien individuals, defied regulations and conducted unauthorized gold mining across four locations in southern Libya.
The arrested suspects, including a Libyan and four foreign nationals, were apprehended by security services.
Startling images released by the Prosecutor's Office depict expansive rectangular pools, reminiscent of Olympic swimming pools, carved into the desert landscape. Additionally, the seized visuals showcase nuggets and ingots of black and gold metal.
Contrary to Libya's predominantly oil-focused activities, gold panning is an uncommon practice in the country, primarily due to its vast desert expanse, making monitoring a challenging task. Earlier this summer, authorities uncovered and dismantled a covert cryptocurrency mining network in the western regions, leading to the arrest of numerous Chinese nationals involved in this illicit venture.
The ongoing turmoil in Libya, stemming from the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi's downfall in 2011, has created a landscape where two competing administrations, one situated in Tripoli and the other in the eastern region, vie for control.