Shaanxi Mining compensates 43 affected farmers

Shaanxi Mining Company Limited has paid GH¢100,000 as compensation to 43 farmers whose farms were affected by the activities of the company.

The Mineral Commission, in 2012 after investigation, directed the Company to pay compensation to the affected farmers.

Speaking at the compensation ceremony at Gbane the Human Resource Manager, Mr. Joseph Anokye, said the company has initiated programmes to fulfil the other recommendations of the Mineral Commission and expressed hope that they will be fully complete by the end of the year.

He said all the stakeholders were involved in discussions, negotiations and consultations about the compensation aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility.

Mr. Anokye said the company has employed over 450 workers, of whom about 354 come from the community and some have been trained to acquire employable skills in areas such as winch operation, drilling, laboratory techniques, plant, and generator operation.

He said safety is the number-one goal of the company, and safety education and awareness is always done at the beginning of the shift before work starts -- and that so far no any major accident had been recorded.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. James Lee, said since 2008 the company -- mandated to provide technological, haulage, human resource, financial and mineral processing assistance to the two concessionaires, Yenyeya and Pubortaaba Mining Enterprises -- has executed its duties successfully.

He said underground development of four vertical shafts and an incline shaft are ongoing alongside major physical infrastructure development including the main office, residential block, and a surface processing plant.

The company, Mr. Lee said, has sunk seven boreholes in the area and in 2013 completed a US$1million bridge over the river Oun separating Datuku and Kejetia to enhance vehicular and human [especially pupils’] movement.

Between 2011 and 2014, the company paid a total of GH¢70,000 and property and business operation rates to the Talensi district.

He explained that the company will continue to play a very active role in development of the area and appealed to community members to cooperate with the company.

Mr. Peter Yaro, the Chief Linguist of the Gbane Chief, expressed appreciation to management of the company and said the compensation will help alleviate the plight of affected farmers and their families.