The Talensi Mining Communities’ Initiative (TEMCI) and the Savana Research and Advocacy Network (SRAN) have renewed demands for compensation for the sixteen small scale miners who died in a Shaanxi Mining pit in 2019 after inhaling a poisonous gas from a mining explosive.
On Wednesday January 23, 2019, an explosive blast carried out by Shaanxi minng Ghana Ltd brought about the worst mining disaster the region had ever recorded in the history of mining. Sixteen mineworkers perished and several people got injured severely in that tragedy.
A report by the Miniral Commission after an investigation into the death of the sixteen young men, found Shanxii and Yenyeya and Pubodtaaba culpable of various breaches and were fine the cedi equivalent of $50,000.00 collectively.
“5. For appointing a supervisor who could not communicate to his patrol team in the language they understood (a breach of regulation 508 of LI 2182), and in accordance with regulation 56 (3), Shanxi Mining Ghana LTD shall be fined the cedi equivalent of $10,000
6. For failing to have blasting time notice in the Gbane community (in breach of regulation 193(f) of LI 2177), Yen Yenya and Pubortaaba shall be fined the cedi equivalent of $10,000
7. For storing explosives underground without approval by the chief inspector of mines (a breach of regulation 163, LI 2177) and in accordance with regulation 56(3) of LI 2182, Shanxi Mining Ghana LTD shall be fined the cedi equivalent of $10,000.
8. For failure to ensure that code of safe work for blasting is approved by inspector of the commission (a breach of regulation 515 or LI 2182), and in accordance with regulation 57(3) of LI 2182, Shanxii Mining Ghana Ltd shall be fined the cedi equivalent of $10,000.00
9.Shanxii Mining Ghana Ltd shall be fined the cedi equivalent of $10,000.00 for not recording the blast that were undertaken on January 22nd, 2019 in the shift boss log book (a breach of regulation 47(10) of LI 2182)”
Several press conferences have since been held by TEMCI and other stakeholders in the mining sector for the mine group, Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd to compensate the families of the demised mine workers for the negligence on the part of Shaanxi which eventually led to the death of the sixteen mine workers. The mine group, government and its collaborators have since paid a death ear to the demands by the groups.
TEMCI and SRAN at a press conference at the SSNIT conference in Bolgatanga on Thursday 8th December, 2022, renewed their demands for the families of the demised small scale miners to be compensated by Shanxii, now Erl International who they accused of deliberately murdering the young men.
“We are very worried as we discuss with you today that the deaths of our 16
brothers were caused by Shaanxi and the minerals commission investigative
report on the incident, proves our point that Shaanxi laced explosives with a
lethal chemical called chlorine to kill the 16 young men intentionally.”
The group also denied allegations by the mine group, Shanxii, now Erl International group that the sixteen small scale miners were killed in their mines.
“Also, the allegation that the young men were killed in a Shaanxi mine was
deliberately concocted to brand them as thieves and hence deny their families
any compensation due them.”
The group expressed their disquiet with the failure of the Minerals commission to direct the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd to compensate the bereaved families but rather fined them $40,000 in the name of the state.
“In 2019, when the minerals commission investigated Shaanxi for killing 16 young
men in their mine at Gbane, they found them culpable and charged them forty
thousand US Dollars $40,000.00 but failed to recommend even a pesewa to the
bereaved families.”
All the forty thousand (USD40,000.00) went into the state’s confess while the
bereaved families continue to suffer in poverty and in pain for the loss of their
breadwinners”
TEMCI and SRAN disclosed that they will soon rise on Kwesi Bantama, whom the sixteen small scale miners worked for prior to their unfortunate death to demand for compensation for their families.
“Kwesi Bantama has since not also compensated the families of the 16 who were
killed by Shaanxi while working for him in 2019. In just a short while, we will rise
on him too. Justice must be served and we will ensure it.”
They therefore called on key stakeholders including traditional authorities and politicians to rise up and fight for justice for their people. “We hope the elite and the traditional authorities will work for the benefit of their constituents. After all they are there to protect and represent the people.”
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com