U/E/R: Two resettlement sites commissioned for mining affected households in Talensi District

Two resettlement sites, Biung and Accra have been commissioned at Tongo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.

The Biung site has resettlement of 62 families with a Chief Palace and the Accra site hosts resettlement of 56 families. The two communities are located within the Namdini Mining Area. The commission of the resettlement sites is a fulfilment of an agreement by Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, a subsidiary of Shandong Gold.

In his welcome address at Biung, the Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited (CNML) Luis Santana said the construction of the two resettlement sites was to provide housing infrastructure for the project affected people.

He noted that the resettlement sites were a more cost-effective way of providing urban-type services, supply of electricity and water, improve sanitation, community access to roads and social services including schools, healthcare facilities in the mining area.

Mr. Santana indicated that the social and environmental impacts associated with mining activities are a great concern to the company. He added that the company decided to put in place a Livelihood Restoration and Vulnerable Assistance Programme aimed at economic empowerment and social enhancement of the affected mining area.

The partnership agreement between CNML and the local stakeholders has led to the construction of a 25 kilometres public road linking Balungu to the mining area at a cost of US$ 7 million.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor lauded CNML for implementing the local content to provide job opportunities for the people of the area.

He added that before any mining starts, the Mines and Mineral Act 206, Act 703, and the Mineral and Mining Compensation Settlement Regulation (MMCSR) 2012 LI 2175 compel mining companies to resettle persons who will be affected by the mining activities.