The Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise in Gbani, Talensi District, has been a vital economic lifeline for hundreds of families in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Since its registration in 2014 for small-scale mining, the company has provided employment and business opportunities for over 1,000 people. The enterprise operates on a 25-acre concession, with 17 active shafts, and has become an integral part of the community.
Workers and traders of the Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise have appealed to the Minerals Commission to rescind its order to shut down and vacate the mining area. They argue that the company's operations are crucial to their livelihoods and that a shutdown would lead to widespread joblessness and economic hardship. The community is rallying behind the company, with women and schoolchildren showing solidarity with the miners.
According to Charles Boazor, the workers and traders are urging the Minerals Commission to reconsider its directive, which they believe would cripple the lives of innocent people. The company's Managing Director, Boyak Kolog, emphasized that Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise is a law-abiding entity that has been operating within the bounds of its license.
The shutdown would have a devastating impact on the community, with Rosemary Yel-Oni, a worker, expressing concerns that many young people would be forced back into joblessness. She appealed to the Minerals Commission to allow Nalamtaaba Mining to continue operating, citing the company's role as a vital source of income for many families.
The management of Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise has expressed disappointment and frustration with the Minerals Commission's directive, which they believe is unfair and intended to pave the way for a Chinese company to take over the concession. Deputy Public Relations Officer Raymond Yinzee stated that the company would continue to operate and work within the bounds of its license.
The community's plea to the Minerals Commission is centered on the need to protect the livelihoods of over 1,000 people who depend on Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise for their economic survival. The company's operations have become an integral part of the Gbani community, and its shutdown would have far-reaching consequences for the local economy.
The situation in Gbani highlights the challenges faced by small-scale mining communities in Ghana, where the livelihoods of thousands of people depend on the operations of mining enterprises. The outcome of the Minerals Commission's decision will have significant implications for the future of Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise and the community it supports.
Key points
- Over 1,000 livelihoods in Gbani are at risk due to the Minerals Commission's order to shut down Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise.
- The company has been operating lawfully since its registration in 2014 and is a vital economic lifeline for the community.
- The community is rallying behind the company, with workers, traders, women, and schoolchildren showing solidarity with the miners.
