China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi has says his country is working to stamp out illegal gold mining in Ghana, following an arrest of over hundred Chinese citizens caught mining gold illegally in the West African country last year.

Wang Yi, who made this statement after a meeting with Ghanaian counterpart, Hannah Tetteh, in the Accra capital, told reporters that the Chinese government took illegal mining “very seriously” and was currently taking measures to curb the menace.

He said China would henceforth allow only reputable companies to do business in Ghana, according to a French news agency (AFP) report.

For Ghana, Africa’s second-largest gold producer, unauthorized mining has become a major concern.

Last year, the country began implementing a law to stop foreigners from mining without permits, leading to the arrest of over hundred Chinese immigrants found mining gold illegally in the River Offin region of the country.