The Public Relations Officer of Earl International Group (GH) Gold Limited, Albert Azongo, has disclosed that about 80 percent of the company’s permanent workforce is drawn from host communities in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
According to Mr. Azongo, the company currently employs approximately 1,113 Ghanaians as permanent staff, with the figure expected to increase as operations expand.
“As of the last 24 hours, we are about 1,113 Ghanaians permanently working with the company, and this does not include casual workers,” he said. “We are glad to note that about 80 percent of this number comes from the host communities, including Gbane, Datuko, Gaare, Sheaga, Tindongo, Tongo, etc.”
He made the revelation when the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, visited the company’s operational site at Gbane as part of his working tour of mining areas in the region.
Mr. Azongo explained that the company’s employment policy prioritizes local content and capacity building, noting that many employees who began as general workers have risen through the ranks after acquiring skills and certification.
“Most of the Ghanaians we employed started as general hands, but through training and support, many have gained certification from the Minerals Commission and now occupy more technical roles,” he added.
The PRO of Earl International Group (GH) Gold Limited emphasized that the company’s core objective is to drive economic and social development through responsible mining practices. Despite these strides, he acknowledged that 2025 was a challenging year for the company due to illegal mining activities, flooding, and security concerns, which significantly impacted production.
“In 2025, we were able to move over 190,000 tonnes of ore to our processing plant and treated more than 200,000 tonnes, resulting in the production of slightly over 295 kilograms of gold,” he said. “This was achieved despite the numerous challenges we faced.”
Looking ahead, the company projects a significant increase in output in 2026, with plans to mine over 449,000 tonnes of ore and expand its underground development across multiple shafts.
Mr. Azongo also disclosed ongoing infrastructure expansion, including a new processing plant with a daily capacity of 5,000 tonnes, additional shafts under construction, and an 8-megawatt solar power facility as part of a long-term plan to generate 30 megawatts of renewable energy.
Beyond employment, the company is undertaking several corporate social responsibility initiatives within the host communities. These include the construction of a school, boreholes, and a 60-bed capacity hospital expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026.
“We are committed to supporting the social development of our communities. The hospital project, once completed, will significantly improve healthcare delivery in the Talensi area,” he noted.
He added that the company has also built accommodation for nurses, supported local health directorates, and partnered with the district assembly to recognize and support vulnerable groups.
On revenue contribution, Mr. Azongo disclosed that the company paid over GH¢22 million in corporate taxes, VAT, and duties in 2025, in addition to more than GH¢30 million in royalties to the government.
However, he identified illegal mining as a major threat to the company’s operations, citing cases of encroachment, theft of ore, and unsafe mining practices within its concession.
“We have illegal miners using cyanide within our concession, which poses serious environmental and safety risks. Some even enter our underground shafts and damage critical structures,” he lamented.
He appealed for government support to address the menace, stressing that ensuring security within mining concessions is critical to sustaining operations and protecting investments.
Mr. Azongo also revealed that the company has engaged former small-scale miners in the area, integrating them into its operations as shareholders with a two percent share of gross production paid biannually.
A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah | Gbane
