Concerned Citizens of Talensi is calling on the Minerals Commission and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to revoke the mining licenses of two small-scale mining companies in Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
The two companies are said to supported by Shaanxi Mining Company, a Chinese mining company.
According to the group, the Chinese mining company is hiding behind these two small-scale mining companies to carry out large scale mining, which the mining laws of Ghana prohibit.
Talensi residents numbering about 300 with red bands expressed their displeasure in a press conference in Sheiga in the Talensi District.
They described as absolute illegality the Chinese mining company operating in the area.
READ: Two small-scale mining firms appeal for license to go medium- or large-scale
The group in the press statement said the two mining companies on which the Chinese mining company is operating does not have renewed mining license since 2013 hence they cannot operate.
The group said the Chinese mining company is practicing bad mining practices against the standard regulations such as blasting without filling the stones and many more.
Speaking on the group’s behalf, convener Charles Boazor said Ghanaian workers at Shaanxi Mining Company are not respected.
The group said out of 502 Ghanaian workers, 450 employees are paid salaries and wages below GH¢250 per month for working for eight hours per day.
The convener said due to poor safety measures, many of the other miners in the Gbane mining community are dead.
The group said the Chinese mining company has never paid taxes for mining in Talensi from their checks.
It added that the traditional authorities in Talensi and the District Assembly have been denied royalties from the Chinese mining company and the two small-scale mining companies.
They are, therefore, advising Shaanxi Mining Company Limited to comply with the suspension of mining operations given by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister in a letter dated April 24.
By Rabiu Tanko Mohammed|3news.com|Ghana