Gbane Mining Current Issue: A View from a Disappointed Journalist
Mr. Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen has described the ongoing situation in Gbane a mining community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region as disheartening and saddening. According to Mr. Ngamegbulam, as a journalist, he has always strived to advocate for the best interests of the community and its residents. However, recent events have revealed a harsh truth about some individuals they as media personalities fight for, as they seem to have their own selfish interests at heart. The conflict surrounding the Gbane mining issue between a Chinese company Earl International and the community has not only brought humiliation to them as media practitioners but has also created enemies among those they seek justice for – the ordinary Talensi, small scale miners, and Gbani citizens. He said, his disillusionment grew when I learned that the small scale miners in Gbane, whom we have been championing for, have struck a deal with Earl International to surrender their concessions. Despite receiving compensation for their concessions, reports suggest that funds were transferred to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) account for disbursement by the Upper East Regional Minister to these concession owners. However, few groups allege they did not receive their share, implicating a certain Robert Boazor who allegedly accepted a portion on behalf of the group. The fact that these concession owners, all hailing from Talensi, willingly sold their means of livelihood to Earl International Company for personal gain is disappointing. By accepting financial incentives and quarterly payments, they essentially relinquished control over their concessions, leaving the fate of the community in the hands of the company. “It is disheartening to see innocent Talensi citizens suffer due to the greed and shortsightedness of a few. As a journalist, I will remain steadfast in shedding light on this issue and holding accountable those responsible for betraying their community”. As the dust settles, questions arise about the involvement of NGOs in the area and their potential ulterior motives. Amidst all the chaos, it is unfortunate that sincere media practitioners find themselves under scrutiny, while the concession owners enjoy financial benefits at the expense of their own people. These are little facts: Did small scale miners gave out their concessions to Earl International? The answer is ‘YES’ Did Earl International transferred funds to RCC account for the Regional Minister onward distribution to these concession owners (Small Scale Miners)? The answer is big ‘YES’ Did the Regional Minister distributed these monies to the concession owners (small scale miners) YES, but few groups still have issues which I personally think is regrettable. What about the NGOs in the area, are they having their parochial interest? Big “YES” The recent clash was between the miners and military personnel who were deployed by REGSEC together with the police to ensure security for what was described as illegal mining pits sealing exercise. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Tragic Tunnel Collapse Claims Lives of 40 Miners in Gold Mine
According to recent reports, a devastating tunnel collapse at a gold mine in Mali has resulted in the death of at least 40 individuals. The incident occurred in the south-western Koulikoro region, and the number of casualties was only confirmed after investigations. Oumar Sidibe, a local official for gold miners, described the terrifying moment of the collapse. “It started with a noise. The earth started to shake,” he recounted to the AFP news agency. Initially, it was not clear how many lives were lost in the incident, but officials have now confirmed the death toll to be over 70, with 73 bodies discovered at the scene. Mali’s mining ministry spokesperson, Baye Coulibaly, mentioned that the provisional death toll stood at more than 40. In response to the tragic event, the Malian government expressed their deepest condolences to the affected families and the nation as a whole. Additionally, they urged communities residing near mining sites to adhere to safety regulations and limit their operations to designated areas for gold panning. Mining accidents are unfortunately common in Mali, primarily due to the use of unsafe and unregulated methods by miners. Despite the ministry’s strong advice against unauthorized tunneling, many miners continue to ignore the warnings. Consequently, the ministry plans to conduct further investigations into the collapse and intends to dispatch a team to the affected area on Thursday. The purpose of the investigation is to understand the circumstances leading to the incident and to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Source: Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
Ian Cockerill receives new appointment as CEO of West Africa gold company
Ian Cockerill, a highly respected figure in the mining industry of South Africa, has been appointed as the CEO of Endeavour, a mining company operating in West Africa. Endeavour focuses on gold mining in Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. With his extensive experience of four decades in the natural resources sector, Cockerill previously served as the deputy chairperson of Endeavour. As the new CEO and executive director, he will be reassessing his current directorships. In the nine months leading up to September 30, Endeavour’s mines in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire yielded a combined total of 792,000 ounces of gold. For the whole year, the company projects a gold production range of 1.06 million to 1.14 million ounces, with costs ranging from $895/oz to $950/oz. In the third quarter, Endeavour recorded a revenue of $530 million, and a planned capital expenditure of $400 million is expected for the year. The expansion of the Sabodala-Massawa and Lafigué development projects are progressing as scheduled and within budget, with plans for commissioning next year. Cockerill’s achievements in the mining industry led to his induction into the South African Mining Hall of Fame in 2017. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
New discovery: Oil found in Upper East –Upper Regional East Minister
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has announced that, in addition to gold and other natural resources, oil has been discovered in the Upper East Region, bringing new hope and opportunities to the area, Apexnewsgh reports. Speaking at the 13th BONABOTO National Congress in Tongo, the district capital of Talensi, Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu shared the news with attendees, describing the find as a blessing for the people of Upper East. “Aside from gold and other natural resources, we are fortunate to have discovered oil in our region,” the Minister declared, expressing optimism about the future. The revelation, reported by Apexnewsgh, has sparked hope among residents and leaders alike, who see the discovery as an opportunity to drive economic growth, create jobs, and bring greater development to the region. As details emerge, anticipation is growing over what this new resource could mean for the Upper East’s prosperity and its place in Ghana’s resource landscape. More to come soon…. Source: Apexnewsgh/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
Deputy Majority leader denies allegation of any mining lease in Effutu Forest Reserve
The Deputy Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency in the Central Region Alexander Afenyo-Markin has denied allegations that the Minerals Commission has leased the forest reserve in the Effutu Constituency for lithium mining. Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin called the claims baseless and untrue, dismissing the protest by some residents. He clarified that the Minerals Commission had previously stated that they had not approved any application for mining in the sacred forest where deer hunting occurs during the Aboakyire Festival. He refuted accusations that government officials, including his office, were involved in the sale of the forest reserve for mining. He urged the protesters to address the real challenges facing the community. The protesters expressed their concern about the potential disruption to their heritage and vowed to stop the mining operations. Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062
Alan engages youth ahead of 2024
Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, an independent presidential hopeful has engaged hundreds of youths in the Greater Accra Region under the banner of ‘Volunteers Activation and Orientation’ ahead of the 2024 general elections. The activity was fronted by his campaign team and aims to mobilize and equip the youth to actively participate in his nation-building agenda across the country. During his nationwide tour, Mr. Kyerematen observed that there is a growing demand among Ghanaians for an alternative political force, which is different from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). He insists, that looking at the current hardship bedeviling Ghanaians, they seriously are yearning for visionary leadership rather than aligning with existing political parties. According to him, he is very optimistic that his “Great Transformational Plan” (GTP), will alleviate the economic challenges facing the country. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Officials of Cardinal Namdini denies reports of Airport construction for Upper East—Are we in for another airport politics?
If you are from the Upper East Region and you have started jubilating after the news of constructing an airport broke, please, kindly calm down with your jubilation because information gathered by Apexnewsgh.com has it that the company is not in to construct any airport for the region as speculated across the universe but rather airstrip for their mining activity. Somewhere, in September 2023, it was in almost all local media platforms within and outside the region that Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd is to construct airport for Upper East Region and immediately and the news broke, it was shared and post across all social media platforms but unfortunately, what seems to be good news later tuned to false reportage by the media. This was according to Steve Ofori Asamoah, the company’s Project Manager. This simply means, Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd had never promised constructing any airport to the people of Upper East Region. On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Apexnewsgh reached out to one of Cardinal’s top officials, Mr. Baba Sulemana, to gather more information regarding the apparent good news for the region – the construction of an airport. Surprisingly, Mr. Sulemana expressed uncertainty about this project. However, after the conversation ended, he called back to inform me that he had consulted his superiors, who clarified that it was merely an “intent” at this point. This means that constructing an airport is something they have in mind, but no decision has been made yet. Meanwhile, in our continued efforts to seek further clarification from the company, on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen from Apexnewsgh contacted Mr. Steve Ofori Asamoah, the company’s Project Manager. Regrettably, Mr. Asamoah’s response was shocking, as he stated that the information reported by the media regarding their decision to construct airport was entirely false. “The people carried out false information and am not in to give you any clarification because if news people came to site, the important thing we say about gold mine they didn’t say it, but they went out and say I said we will construct airport for Bolga”. He told Ngamegbulam Chidozie In response to recent inaccurate reports, Mr. Ofori clarified that the Minister had mentioned the government procuring 10 acres of land for an airstrip, not an airport. He expressed frustration that journalists had misinterpreted his words. Mr. Ofori referred the media to the communication department for further information. Additionally, during a discussion with the Chief of Baare, Naab Nyaakora Mantii, it was revealed that Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd only intended to construct an airstrip for their own company’s use, not an airport. The Chief kindly requested that the company consider making the airstrip available for commercial purposes. The Chief believes constructing an airport will open up the area and also improve our economic situation. “Our women will definitely sell; some will get employment there. So, I am pleading if Cardinal could help government by making it a commercial one. So, the monies government would have used to construct an airport in the region, will be used for an equally important projects and that would have meant that they are using one stone to kill two birds. Cardinal’s intention to construct an airport in Bolgatanga is in question. When asked if the construction is for commercial purposes, the Baare Chief replied that it is not. He explained that the airport is private and urged Cardinal to make it public. In light of a publication titled “Shandong Gold pledges to pour first gold in 2024 and construct new airport in Bolgatanga,” Mr. Hang Li, the General Manager of Shandong Gold Group, the parent company of Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd, confirmed that the company is indeed planning to build an airport in Bolgatanga. The aim is to improve transportation to and from the region. Mr. Li mentioned that discussions are already underway with relevant stakeholders, and they hope to start the project soon. Mr. Jinapor also stated that the government is fully supportive and committed to assisting the company in ensuring that gold production starts as early as next year. The issue of constructing a regional airport for the people of Upper East Region in the past, has witnessed a lot of politics over the years which has prevented the region from having their share of the airport. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Barari DV Ghana Limited, granted 15-year Mining Lease to commence the construction and mining of lithium
Barari DV Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium Limited, has been awarded a Mining Lease by the government for a period of fifteen (15) years. This lease allows the company to undertake the construction and extraction of lithium at the Ewoyaa site in the Mfantseman Municipality, located in the Central Region of Ghana. Notably, the Mining Lease includes revised terms aimed at maximizing the benefits derived from this valuable mineral for the country. These terms comprise an increased royalty rate, involvement of the State and Ghanaian entities, and the promotion of value addition to the mined mineral. The government’s decision to grant the Mining Lease follows the completion of comprehensive prospecting and feasibility studies conducted by the company. This was followed by a series of negotiations between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited. The lease encompasses an area of approximately 42.63 square kilometres, conferring upon the company the exclusive right to engage in lithium and associated mineral extraction, while adhering to the country’s mining laws. Lithium plays a crucial role in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, which are being widely promoted as an alternative to fossil fuels in the ongoing battle against climate change. The combustion of fossil fuels in internal combustion engines is a major contributor to the climate crisis. In response, global leaders are advocating for a transition to green energy, aiming to progressively reduce and eventually eliminate carbon emissions. Several countries have already enacted legislation to phase out vehicles that rely on fossil fuels. This has given rise to a burgeoning market for the battery industry and the minerals necessary for battery production, often referred to as green minerals or critical minerals. Currently, African countries that extract lithium tend to export the mineral in its raw form. In 2017, Barari Ltd. initiated exploration efforts for lithium in the country and identified significant deposits of high-grade lithium in commercial quantities in Ewoyaa. Geological investigations have also revealed lithium deposits across various regions of the country, spanning from the south to the north, primarily around Cape Coast, Kumasi, Sunyani, Bole, and Wa. However, the country has yet to commence mining operations for this mineral. During a brief ceremony to formalize the signing of a Mining Lease for Barari DV Ltd., Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, emphasized that the government has taken a different approach in handling this particular mineral compared to others. As a result, it was crucial to establish a special policy for the exploitation and management of this mineral before granting any Mining Lease. After extensive consultations, the Cabinet approved a policy specifically addressing the exploitation and management of green minerals, including lithium. The Mining Lease awarded to the company incorporates the policy that has been approved by Parliament. The Minister clarified that this lease differs from the standard Mining Lease, as it includes the mutually agreed-upon terms between the government and the company, based on the Cabinet-approved policy. Mr. Jinapor highlighted that the agreed-upon terms ensure that the Ghanaian government and its citizens receive greater value from the mining of this mineral. In terms of specific details, he noted that the royalty rate has been increased from the standard five percent (5%) to ten percent (10%), and the State’s free carried interest in the mining operation has been increased from ten percent (10%) to thirteen percent (13%). The mining operation will see an increase in Government ownership, with an additional 6% stake acquired through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF). The Company’s parent entity listed on the Australian and London Stocks Exchange will also have a 3.06% ownership by the Government. To promote local participation, the Company will be required to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange, allowing Ghanaian entities and individuals to invest in the business. Furthermore, the Company has committed to contributing 1% of its revenue to a Community Development Fund, which will support the development of communities affected by their operations. Additionally, the Company aims to establish a chemical plant for lithium processing. If unable to do so, the Company will supply its lithium to any third-party chemical plant in the country. These measures aim to generate more job opportunities and promote overall development in the mining communities and Ghana as a whole. The Government acknowledges the impact of mining-on-mining communities and is determined to guarantee that these communities, as well as Ghanaians who legally own these minerals, reap their benefits. It urges the company to strictly adhere to the mining laws and the agreed-upon terms with the Government while focusing on responsible, sustainable, and environmentally friendly mining practices. Mr. Niel Herbert, the Executive Chairman of Atlantic Lithium Limited, expressed gratitude to the Minister and the Government for their collaboration in achieving this significant milestone. He emphasized the importance of the Ewoyaa project to the company and its willingness to collaborate with the Government to ensure the responsible exploitation of this mineral for the betterment of Ghanaians. He further assured compliance with Ghana’s laws and commitment to maintaining a safe mining environment. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Judgement case of Galamsey kingpin Aisha Huang to be given on Dec 4
The Accra High Court has scheduled December 4, 2023, as the date for the judgment in the case of En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, who is alleged to be the leader of an illegal mining operation. The decision was made by Justice Mrs Lydia Osei-Marfo in the Criminal Division of the court after all parties submitted their written arguments. During the court proceedings on Thursday, Justice Osei-Marfo announced that only the judgment date remained to be determined. As a result, December 4, 2023, was set as the date for the delivery of the judgment. Aisha Huang has pleaded not guilty to charges related to conducting unauthorized mining activities and facilitating the involvement of others in illegal mining. However, she has pleaded guilty to illegally returning to Ghana after being deported, and she has been convicted of this charge. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
GNASSM-BD commends Sampson Wiredu’s committee after recommendation to interdict Robert Boazor
Sampson Wiredu Committee a committee formed by the National President of the Ghana Small Scale Miners to investigate Robert Boazor Tampoare over a petition by Smale Scale Miners Bolga district and Unique Mining Group a mining group operating in Gbane Community in the Talensi District has been concluded. The report by the five-member committee, says “Robert Boazor Tampoare has been interdicted until the final determination of the case and therefore asked for the entire Bolgatanga District Executive to be dissolved”. The report also directs that an interim executive should be put in place to manage the affairs of the small-scale miners, pending next year’s election of a substantive executive. Following the outcome of the investigation, the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners Bolga District (GNASSM-BD) has commended the Sampson Wiredu Committee for what they described as a ‘detailed job’ done by acknowledging their challenges and providing a solution to deal with it. “The committee realized that all district executives were appointed without any competitive recourse. The district treasure Zondong Samari Koolog indicated he was not present on the day of the congress which had less than 26 participants. Also, some of the zonal executive who met the committee denied knowledge of the district executives especially the district secretary”. “On the mining concessions takeover, the committee established that Robert Tampoare did not inform and involve any of the district executives”. “Members are relieved from the pain and the frustration that Robert Boazor Tampaore had taken us through, Robert Boazor Tampoare is currently before the High Court 1 in Bolgatanga on a matter of fraud against members of the Unique Mining Group who reported him to the police for fraud”. The statement captured. Below are the full press release Below are the excepts of the investigative report and recommendation by the Sampson Wiredu’s committee. Meanwhile, when this platform contacted Robert Boazor Tampoare for his response following his interdiction, he declined to speak with the excuse that the case in the court. “The committee didn’t have the right to do what they are doing; the committee will get their own trouble” Robert Boazor responded Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com