The Talensi Mining Communities Initiative (TAMCI) in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region of Ghana has called on the Tongraan to stop intimidating Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise, a local small-scale gold mining company operating in the Gbane area of the district.
TAMCI says it fully supports the Bolga High Court for granting an injunction restraining Earl International (formerly known as Shaanxi Mining Ltd), the former DCE Thomas Duanab, the Minerals Commission, and their associates from intruding upon the Nanlamtaaba concession.Speaking to the media at the Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise site at Gbane, Mr. Bismark Zumah stated that the Court also instructed the state to provide security to enable Nanlamtaaba to operate safely at the mining site.He said the Court directed the Regional Minister Hon. Donatus Akamugre, the Ghana Police Service, the 11 Mechanised Battalion, and other security agencies represented on the Regional Security Council to comply with the court order. He noted that even though the Tongraan Kubilsong Nalebtang reportedly wrote a letter filled with falsehood and instructed security officials to disobey the Court’s decision, the Security Council chose to obey the law.
He added that Nanlamtaaba was subsequently brought back to the site by state security.TAMCI described this as a fulfilment of President John Mahama’ promise to strengthen and support legal, responsible underground hard rock small-scale mining. The promise, TAMCI said, was made to small-scale miners during a rally held at Nanlamtaaba concession in October 2024.TAMCI and the people of Talensi expressed deep appreciation for the transparency and justice shown to Talensi youth. Mr. Zumah said the Talensi community is proud of the outcome and urged all stakeholders to allow lawful mining to continue.
Mr. Bismark Zumah also reminded Ghanaians that TAMCI claims Earl International (formerly Shaanxi Mining Ltd) previously caused serious harm to over 100 youth, alleging they were killed following deliberate blasting and poor mining practices.TAMCI further alleges that many victims were injured, but that the company has not adequately compensated them, and that the Minerals Commission and the EPA have not taken strong enough action an issue
TAMCI says concerns members of the Concern Citizens of Talensi (CCT), who have held press conferences and demonstrations against the company.TAMCI claims Earl International received a licence in 2019 (Licence No. 2100). They further allege that Earl International, illegally mined within the Nanlamtaaba concession, engages in suspicious gold smuggling practices, pays low salaries to workers, may under-declare annual production quantities, and engages in other malpractices.
TAMCI says it strongly suspects Earl International intends to use “wicked strategies” to fight Nanlamtaaba and its workers in order to take over resources in the concession.They claim Earl International may not be carrying out prospecting or following approved mining methodology.
TAMCI says it has information indicating that the current mining methods used by Earl International are **not approved by the Minerals Commission and EPA, and that if the company is not properly checked, there could be a collapse or cave-in that may destroy lives and property.
TAMCI therefore calls on the Minerals Commission and EPA to conduct a thorough investigation and publish their findings and actions.TAMCI also suspects Earl International may plan attacks on workers and assets.
TAMCI is urging Earl International to desist and cautions that Nanlamtaaba and its workers are local and Ghanaian, warning that any attempt to endanger lives or disrupt operations will face strong community resistance.TAMCI respectfully urges Tongraan Kubilsong Nalebtang to stop any actions against small-scale miners and their interests.
TAMCI says the Tongraan should not intimidate state officials, and argues that the Tongraan has no concession in the area, the Tongraan is not an employee of the Chinese mining firm, the Tongraan does not own land in the area, and other traditional leaders, women leaders, assembly members, and youth leaders in the area have no complaints against Nanlamtaaba.TAMCI also calls on traditional rulers to abandon any schemes connected to Earl International and to support Nanlamtaaba to operate peacefully and lawfully.
TAMCI highlights that the CEO of Nanlamtaaba, Mr. Boyak Kolog (Polo) has reportedly, re-gravelled and constructed culverts from Tongo Market to Tongo Hospital, supported beds and furniture for the hospital, assisted schools in sporting activities and provided support in various forms.TAMCI says Talensi residents are still calling on Earl International to provide 10,000 dual desks for schools, provide 30 beds for health posts, and construct an asphalt road from Sheaga Junction to Datoko Market (about 7 km).
TAMCI urges the EPA, Minerals Commission, and all state institutions to resist any pressure or influence from Earl International to destabilize lawful operations.
They ask regulators to use their oversight and enforcement powers to support Nanlamtaaba so it can grow to become financially and technically strong.TAMCI states that Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise is licensed and recognized as a small-scale mining group.
They say Nanlamtaaba has operated with Licence No. 1857 since 2014 and renewed its licence in 2020, adding that it has operated without casualties and malpractices. TAMCI also claims that over 500 casual employees have worked in unity and professionalism.
TAMCI alleges that Earl International (formerly Shaanxi Mining Ltd) influenced the then former DCE Thomas Duanab and the former Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu to stir trouble, claiming they lied and caused police arrests, threatened Nanlamtaaba workers, forcibly took over the mining site, confiscated equipment, and drove youth away leading to closure of Nanlamtaaba pits and alleged extraction of gold from the concession.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.