Two people have been reported dead after violent clashes between security personnel and members of the Gbane community in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region on Friday, March 15, 2024.
The violent clashes followed Earl International Mining Company’s attempt to close what it has described as pits used by illegal miners.
Staff of the mining company and security personnel were pelted with stones. Reports indicate one of the military vehicles was damaged.
COMPANY’S ACCOUNT
When Media Relations Officer for Earl International Mining Company, Albert Azongo, spoke to Mark Smith on A1 Radio today, Monday, March 18, 2024, he mentioned that the decision to close the pit stemmed from a meeting among the company, the Regional Security Council, and the owners of the said concessions.
Mr. Azongo explained that the decision to close the pits, while not profitable to the mining company, was to protect the lives of miners.
“In recent times, our geologist reported that some pits being operated by some illegal miners (galamseyers) are almost connecting to ours. Though they are yet to connect, the boundary is so thin that a continuous blast by our company in that area can cause a mine disaster and claim lives. So we stopped working around that area and reported it to REGSEC and the Minerals Commission to help us get the people away from the place to avoid a looming danger.”
This decision was, however, met with strong opposition from members of the community. While the company had anticipated some resistance, it did not expect the level of pushback it saw on Friday, March 15. The initial owners of the concessions, according to Mr. Azongo, agree with the decision to close down the pits.
While the Media Relations Officer insists that the pits that were supposed to be covered fall directly within the 16.02 square-kilometer operational concession of the company, the company has put on hold its decision to close the pits.
Mr. Azongo explained that the company understands that the closure of the pits directly affects the livelihoods of the miners but reminds them that their lives and safety are paramount.
TAMCI’s PERSPECTIVE
A Civil Society Organisation within the Talensi District, the Talensi Mining Communities Initiative, expressed grave concerns about the operations of the organisation.
Albert Naa, who spoke on behalf of the organisation on the same platform, explained that the Minerals Commission’s decision to grant the 16.02 sq. km to Earl International is the basis of many of the problems within the enclave.
“The Minerals Commission has surprised the people of Talensi so much that when it comes to Shanxii [Earl International], they have lost all their learnings. They do not deal with this company the way they are supposed to deal with them. A company comes to you that they want a large-scale mining license. Where are they going to mine? They have to show proof that this is the area that they have discovered and this is where they want to go and mine. If Shanxii had done that when they applied for a large-scale mining license through the regional office to Accra, Accra would have known that there were small-scale mining licenses that were active at the time Shanxii was applying for its license. You cannot grant an overlapping license,” he said.
Mr. Naa was particularly surprised at the decision of the mining company, along with the support of the Upper East Regional Security Council, to close the pits because of pending court cases.
The court cases are to determine the legitimacy of ownership of some of the concessions, along with compensations due to some concessionaires.
Mr. Naa said he expected the company to have done more consultation before its decision to close down some pits. He chastised the company for trying to draw a dichotomy between the lives of the miners, their families, and their livelihoods, saying, “you can’t separate the two.”
NDC CONDEMNS VIOLENCE
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress in the Talensi Constituency has condemned the violent clash between the members of the community and security personnel.
“We, the NDC leadership of the constituency, vehemently condemn the excessive and unwarranted use of force by the military and police against unarmed civilians who, until this saddened incident, were living and cohabiting in harmony. Such actions are not only deplorable but also flagrant violations of human rights and the rule of law. We refer you to the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which guarantees the right to freedom of assembly, association, and expression under Chapter 5, Article 21.”
The party demanded justice and compensation for the families of the deceased and injured persons.
“We demand swift and transparent investigations into these heinous acts, with perpetrators held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Justice must be served for the innocent victims who have suffered at the hands of those sworn to protect them. Considering the already existential security threats and hostilities around the mining area, we further call on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which investigates human rights violations, including those related to freedom of assembly, and other investigation agencies to immediately intervene.”
This was contained in a statement signed by Daniel Dung Mahama, Parliamentary Candidate, John Millim Nabwomya, Constituency Chairman, and Augustine Mmi-oni Guure, Constituency Secretary.
Source:A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
Enough of such nonsense is okay. we can’t be living on our land like aliens.
What do we benefit from such a mining company when a common road leading to that mining company is in a deplorable state?
Causing respiratory diseases in our people.
A company hijacked by a few individuals for their benefit.
Such heinous acts are uncountably associated with the same mining company, why? Enough is enough.
When we rise one day in the land of Talensi, they might find their sandals to wear before running and can’t find them, and even the government can’t do anything.
Why is the gold in our land a blessing or a curse?
The gold is a blessing from God to the good people of Talen-teng.
Sometimes ago, the teeming youth used to go to the southern part of the country for greener pastures but this gold on our land has reduced such movement drastically. They are there to get something to feed their families and to pay their school fees and their siblings and they are been killed always. Why?
They should rethink in their dealings with the community people or they think of vacating the land. simple!!!