Miners damage Great Wall in Mongolia

HOHHOT, China, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Police in the Inner Mongolia region of China are investigating reports a gold mining operation damaged 328 feet of the historic Great Wall, officials said.

Investigators from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and police were at the site of the alleged destruction Wednesday near the city of Hohhot, where holes were dug through the ancient wall by prospectors, Wang Dafang, director of the region's cultural relics department told the official Xinhua news agency.

"The damage is irreparable," said Wang, adding the Hohhot Kekao Mining Co. had ignored five orders from the regional government to cease operations on a mountain near the wall.

Two holes allegedly were knocked in a section of the Great Wall built during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.) by miners searching for gold, Xinhua said. The Great Wall of Inner Mongolia extends more than 9 miles.

Emperor Qin (259-210 B.C.), who united China during his reign, began construction of the wall to protect China from raids by fierce northern tribes, including the Mongols.

Only about two-thirds of the Great Wall of Inner Mongolia -- which is actually several walls -- remains intact.