The Talensi Mining Communities Initiative (TAMCI), comprising farmers, landowners, resettlers, small-scale miners, assembly members, traditional rulers, and youth leaders in the Talensi District of Ghana’s Upper East Region, has submitted a petition to Cardinal Namdini Shandong Mining Limited.
The group expressed significant concerns regarding the company’s operations and their adverse effects on local communities.Mr. Gilbert Bright Laandolba, secretary of the Talensi Mining Communities Initiative, addressed the media after presenting the petition at the mining site.
He stated that since 2020, Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd. has shown a concerning disregard for the well-being of the community, prompting TAMCI to seek sustainable development through responsible mining practices.The group highlighted that the mining company has fostered division and rivalry among traditional rulers, undermining unity and cooperation in community development.
They urged the company to cease its clandestine involvement in local politics.Laandolba criticized the company’s inadequate resettlement and compensation processes, describing them as suppressed. The company’s Resettlement Compensation Committee has dismissed the employment of community consultants, as required by the Minerals and Mining (Resettlement and Compensation). Regulations 2012 (LI 2175). Compensation packages for business owners, farmers, and landowners have been deemed insufficient, with arbitrary payments made without proper assessment or valuation.
“The company has failed to comply with the Minerals and Mining Regulations on Recruitment and Training (LI 2431), denying local citizens employment and training opportunities. Allegations of partisanship and corruption in recruitment have further exacerbated the situation,” he noted.
Despite TAMCI’s efforts to engage with the company, proposals for Relationship Agreements addressing social responsibility, employment, and development funds have been met with resistance. The company has refrained from meeting with TAMCI’s technical team or acknowledging their concerns.
TAMCI also raised alarms about the company’s disposal of chemical waste into the community, particularly during rains, which poses significant environmental and health risks.
Furthermore, TAMCI lamented that the company’s operations have resulted in lost livelihoods and socio-economic freedoms. Promises made during the initial stages of development remain unfulfilled, leaving communities to struggle with poverty, poor infrastructure, and inadequate access to essential services.
TAMCI, led by Laandolba, expects prompt action on these demands and hopes to see tangible progress by the end of September 2025. Should their demands remain unmet, they will consider further actions against the mining company.Among their demands, they called for the immediate dissolution of the employment committee chaired by Baare Naba and the establishment of a new, inclusive committee to ensure transparency in recruitment.
They also requested roundtable discussions with the company’s technical team within 14 days to finalize the proposed Relationship Agreements and create a robust mining governance structure.
Additionally, TAMCI urged the company to dismiss officials allegedly implicated in malpractices, including Maxwell Wooma and Emmanuel Kofi Adusei, and to work with TAMCI’s technical team to form a compensation committee to review all compensation-related activities.
Attempts to speak with Wooma and Adusei, who oversee Community and Social Responsibility at Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls from Word News.
Yinming Zhang, the Executive Vice President and Investment Director of Cardinal Namdini Shandong Mining, expressed appreciation for the peaceful demonstration organized by the Talensi Mining Communities Initiative. He acknowledged the importance of open dialogue and constructive engagement between the mining company and the community, emphasizing that such conversations are essential for fostering mutual understanding and addressing concerns.
During his address, Zhang highlighted the company’s commitment to transparency and collaboration. He recognized the challenges faced by the community since the company began operations in 2020 and urged the community members to engage in a spirit of cooperation. “If we’ve been here since 2020, we understand the struggles that have arisen. It’s crucial that we hear your stories and experiences,” he stated. He implored the community to reflect on their situation, he underscored the company’s awareness of the socio-economic impact of mining activities on the local populace.Zhang further emphasized the necessity of following regulatory laws during discussions and negotiations “We must ensure that our conversations remain equal and fair, without threats or disruptions,” he cautioned.
He acknowledged the complexity of the relationship between the mining company and the community, stressing the importance of a united front in addressing any external influences that might undermine their dialogue.
He reassured the community representatives that their petition would be taken seriously and that the company is committed to reviewing its practices. “We need to look at your concerns and incorporate them into our operations. This is not a one-day or one-month process; it’s a long journey that requires patience and perseverance,” Zhang remarked.
He reiterated the company’s commitment to leveraging its resources responsibly and working collaboratively with the Talensi Mining Communities Initiative to ensure that mining activities benefit the community as a whole.
He expressed hope for a sustainable partnership, emphasizing that both parties must work together to build a prosperous future.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya Adongo.