The increasing activities of illegal mining activities in the Gbane Gold project in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region is adversely affecting the operations of large-scale mining operations which played a vital role in the socio-economic status of the Upper East Region and Ghana at large.
The Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources have earmarked the Gbane Gold project as a large-scale mining hub and has discouraged small scale mining in the area due to the large deposits of gold and the economic value of the deposits which government cannot afford to ‘gamble’ with.
Since the establishment of the large-scale mining company, Earl international group Ghana Gold limited formed by about forty small scale mining concessions, some illegal mining activities by illegal miners have infiltrated Earl international group Ghana Gold Limited’s underground mines. Some of the illegal pits are found in the camps and rooms of these illegal miners in the Gbane community.
The Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) which recently paid a familiarization visit to the company, have sealed a lot of pits in the area which were used in encroaching the underground mines of Earl international group Ghana Gold Limited.
However, it looks the ‘ritual’ of stealing gold ore at the underground mines of the company is not stopping.
On June 2, 2025, 23 illegal miners were arrested after invading shaft 2 and 42. Illegal miners were also rescued from blast fumes in shaft 4 after an attempt to carry out their usual stealing of gold ores.
The Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga who is the Chairman of REGSEC commended Management and staff of the company for exhibiting corporate professionalism in handling the illegal miners.
Donatus Akamugri Atanga reiterated the significance of the existence of the company to economic prospects in the Talensi District and that the company should be protected at all cost.
Earlier in the meeting with REGSEC, the General Manager of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited, Li Jianguo, lamented the challenges the company is going through with the illegal miners.
Mr. Li Jianguo said, these activities by the illegal miners have caused a huge gap in the finances of the company due to the resources invested in the activities towards gold production.
The local economy of Talensi has improved with the establishment of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited where close to 2000 residents in the region have been given jobs in the various departments. This translates to improved livelihoods.
The Corporate Social Responsibility of the company has touched many areas of the economy in the Talensi District. These include education, health, road infrastructure, water and sanitation and women empowerment. Currently, the company is constructing a hospital in the Gbane community as part of efforts to improve on health delivery in the Talensi District.
The REGSEC team that visited the company was taken on a tour of the facilities of the company to appreciate the quality of gold production as well as security and safety of workers.
REGSEC was impressed with the quality of operations and investment at the company and urged Management to prioritize the welfare of workers.
