Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Chinese Gold Mining Sparks Tibetan Protests
In a village in Tibet, people found out that someone was mining gold in a place called Gold Valley.
They were upset because they thought the mining was not allowed.
They told the local leaders about it.
The next day, Chinese officials came and took about 80 villagers away.
The officials went door to door, took people's phones, and even hurt some of them.
The villagers were not allowed to talk about what happened.
Some were kept in a hospital, but they didn't get all the results of their check-ups.
The officials warned everyone not to tell anyone outside about what happened.
About 80 Tibetan villagers were allegedly abducted by Chinese officials after protesting illegal gold mining in Kashi village.
The detentions followed a confrontation with miners and local authorities on November 5, 2023.
Chinese authorities conducted door-to-door arrests, seized mobile phones, and imposed a communications blackout.
Detainees reportedly faced harsh conditions, including denial of sleep, sparse meals, and physical abuse.
Residents were warned against discussing the incident and threatened with severe consequences if they did.
- Who
- Tibetan villagers and Chinese officials
- What
- Protests against illegal gold mining and subsequent mass arrests
- When
- November 5, 2023
- Where
- Kashi village, Kham Zachuka, Sershul County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
- Why
- Protest against illegal gold mining operations
- Location
- Kashi village, Kham Zachuka, Sershul County, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
- Date of Incident
- November 5, 2023
- Number of Detainees
- 80
- Organization Reporting
- Tibet Policy Institute (TPI)
- Mining Location
- Serkhok (Gold Valley)
- Reporting Sources
- ANI, Phayul