The Workers union of Shaanxi Mining company limited in Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region are demanding the arrest and prosecution of a galamsey kingpin Kwesi Appiah for the death of 16 illegal miners in the area; an incident that occurred on 23rd January 2019.
Findings by the Inspectorate division of the Minerals Commission after a thorough investigation into the accident found Kwesi Appiah (alias Kwesi Bantama) liable for allowing the deceased use an illegal pit sited in his house to access Shaanxi mines which led to their death.
The directorate directed that severe punishment should be meted out on Kwesi Appiah for commissioning 25 young men in his pit and closure of all illegal pits linked to Shaanxi mining limited.
They also fined Shaanxi mining $50,000.00 for mining infractions.
But speaking to journalists after a peaceful demonstration on the principal streets of Tongo, spokesperson for workers of Shaanxi mining company, Anagbire Micheal called for the prosecution of Kwesi Appiah for the deaths of the 16 illegal miners and compensate the bereaved families.
He also wants the government to enforce its findings to the latter by sealing all illegal pits linking Shaanxi mines to avert further needless deaths.
“Mr. Kwesi Appiah (Bantama) should be arrested and prosecuted for the death of the 16 young men in his pit as recommended in the investigation report and also pay commensurate compensation to the bereaved families since the report holds him liable.”
“The Attorney Generals Department should take proactive action in court to quash the injunction secured by the illegal miners so as to enable the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission and the Talensi District Assembly to swiftly seal all pits in the Gbane mining area connected to Shaanxi underground operations to avert the recurrence of needless and pathetic deaths,” he added.
Mr. Anagbire urged the government to disregard the ludicrous request by Concerned Citizens of Talensi for the revocation of Shaanxi’s mining license since their operations are within the confines of Ghana’s law.
Shaanxi directed to commence Operations
The inspectorate division of the Minerals Commission has cleared Shaanxi Mining company limited to commence normal operations.
The over 600 workers of Shaanxi though excited about resuming work soon have an express worry at the inspectorate division inability to seal all illegal pits connecting the underground of Shaanxi mines before the 31st of March 2019.
They accuse the concerned citizens of Talensi as being hypocrites “who preach safety and blackmail of Shaanxi for these accidents but despise the solutions to the accidents seeking court injunctions to impede the recommendations of the minerals commission”.
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By: Frederick Awuni | citinewsroom.com | Ghana