Shaanxi Must Go

Even though management of the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited has announced the suspension of its operations in line with the directive of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, a group calling itself Patriotic Citizens of Gbane for Peace and Development, insists that the company is still mining contrary to the order.

The group has called on the Ministry to end the operations of Shaanxi in Gbane and immediately deport all Chinese from area.

There was a recent report about explosion at the site in which five people were said to have been killed.

At a press conference, the group openly expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited, insisting that their operations were discouraging investors and threatening the livelihood of the residents.

According to the Group, Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd has flouted an order to discontinue their operations by the Lands Minister, John Peter Amewu and the Talensi Traditional Council.

From all indications, the Patriotic Citizens of Gbane for Peace and Development, represented by the Convener, John Yaro and John Bawa, want to drive out Shaanxi out of Gbane and all Chinese working with the company deported.

“We, the citizens, having been aggrieved by their actions. We are asking for the immediate deportation of all Chinese Nationals residing in Gbane, because they are irresponsible and have no respect for authorities.” Even though the two representatives of the group confessed that they were part of the signatories of the official lease of 71.16 acres of land to Shaanxi for residential use, they want government to force them out of the area, because they are using the land for other purposes aside the residential.

“Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited has failed or refused to pay the sum of GH¢2,845,000 to the chief and people of Gbane, since April 30, 2013, thereby breaching the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Shaanxi Management and Gbane Chief on the said land lease.”

They also accused Shaanxi of not compensating affected landowners and farm owners, whose shea and other crops have been affected by the mining activities, despite a letter with reference number MC/SSMP/UER/49, dated 5 October, 2012 advising the company to pay these compensations.

They called on government to get Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited to pay the full cost of the land leased to them for residential use and also made to compensate landlords and farm owners in their operational areas.

Meanwhile, some workers of Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited, suspect that the group is being used by some few jealous and self-seeking individuals to push out the company to illegally take over the concession of Shaanxi Mining Ghana Limited.

From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga