The General Manager of Earl International Group Gold Ghana Limited, Li Jianguo, has expressed deep concern over the increasing threat of illegal mining activities on the company’s operations in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
According to him, the persistent infiltration of the company’s underground mining areas by illegal miners—popularly referred to as galamseyers—has become the primary challenge disrupting production and crippling the company’s revenue generation efforts.
Mr. Jianguo made these remarks during a familiarization visit by the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, and members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to the company’s operational site at Gbane. He described the visit as timely and significant, particularly in light of the current challenges affecting the mining firm’s performance.
“Though we have faced numerous challenges such as underground attacks on our workers, flooding, and other operational difficulties, the most pressing issue remains the activities of illegal miners,” Mr. Jianguo noted. “The activities of illegal mining are seriously affecting our operations as these illegal miners have taken over Shaft 2 and 4. This has greatly affected our production because these are the only two Shafts we have been relying on.”
The infiltration is not only compromising safety and security but also affecting the company’s financial outlook. According to Mr. Jianguo, the illegal miners regularly access the company’s tunnels through unauthorized pits, some of which are located within private homes in the Gbane community. Once inside, they extract blasted gold ore, depleting the mine’s reserves and putting employees at risk.
The scale and brazenness of these activities were highlighted by two recent incidents. On January 15, 2025, 23 illegal miners were arrested by private security after invading Shaft 2 through an unapproved tunnel. In a separate and more dangerous incident on June 2, 2025, 42 illegal miners were rescued from blast fumes in Shaft 4 after attempting to steal ore from a freshly blasted stope. Both incidents underscore the grave risk posed to both the illegal miners and the company’s operations.
“We will continue to appeal to you and all stakeholders to take up this issue seriously and work with us to address them. Though we are challenged, management wishes to assure you that we will continue to honor our duties to the state of Ghana and contribute to the development of our host communities,” Mr. Jianguo appealed.
In response, Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga lamented the destructive impact of illegal mining on legitimate businesses and community development.
“I am particularly sad when some of the community members had to go down to steal gold and some were caught up by smoke. But I must thank you for the human face that you have to send your people down to rescue them,” he stated.
He pledged to engage youth groups and traditional leaders to find a lasting solution to the crisis, acknowledging that the economic prospects of the Talensi District, the region, and the country depend heavily on the success of Earl’s operations.
“This situation is regrettable. It is imperative we all work together—government, traditional authorities, and the community—to stop these acts before they destroy everything we’ve built here,” the Minister said.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Gbane
