Small-Scale Miners Threaten to Halt Operations With Sankofa Gold Mine Over Recognition, Job Security Concerns
Small-Scale Miners Threaten to Halt Operations With Sankofa Gold Mine Over Recognition, Job Security Concerns
By Joseph Nana Yaw Cobbina
The Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) in the Prestea Huni Valley enclave, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed Mustapha, has accused Sankofa Gold Mine of exploiting the contributions of small-scale miners while failing to recognize their role in sustaining the state-owned mining company.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on the growing agitation among miners in the area, Alhaji Mustapha stated that small-scale miners supply all the raw materials used by Sankofa Gold Mine for production. According to him, Sankofa only steps in to process the remaining ore after the miners have taken their 50 percent share of the gold.
βThey do not even recognize our existenceβ
Alhaji Mustapha explained that despite their critical support, Sankofa Gold Mine continues to disregard the small-scale mining community.
> βWe are the ones providing all the materials to Sankofa before they implement their work. After we take our 50 percent gold, the rest goes to Sankofa. Even with this, they donβt recognize the small-scale miners,β he lamented.
He added that some of their members have valid licenses but face continuous disrespect from the management of the mine. The association, he noted, has already informed Sankofa during their last meeting that they will cease supplying materials if the situation does not change.
Fear of imminent job losses
The secretary also expressed fears of possible mass layoffs if the strained relationship is not resolved.
He accused the companyβs leadershipβparticularly its boardβof being disconnected from the realities on the ground:
> βThe Sankofa board is not mining. They are only using the details between them and the small-scale miners. If we stop supplying ore, things will change very quickly.β
He stressed that over 60-year-old workers at Sankofa Gold Mine must be replaced with younger, energetic workers for efficiency and employment opportunities for the youth.
Call on government for urgent intervention
Alhaji Mustapha emphasized that Sankofa Gold Mine is the only government-owned large-scale mining company in the area, and for that reason, government must intervene swiftly.
> βGovernment must pay attention to small-scale miners and support us. They must also instruct Sankofa to protect us so we can continue helping them.β
Workers petition divisional chief
Meanwhile, workers of the companyβboth small-scale miners and some staffβhave begun mobilizing to submit a formal petition to the Divisional Chief, Nana Ntebra, over their concerns.
The workers fear that if the current tension continues, their livelihoods could be at risk.
Background
There has been rising tension in the Prestea Huni Valley mining zone between small-scale miners and Sankofa Gold Mine over issues of recognition, operational collaboration, and employment conditions. The miners claim they are key contributors to the mineβs output but remain sidelined in major decisions affecting their welfare and the industry.
Stakeholders are calling for urgent government intervention to avoid disruptions in production and potential job losses.
