A Mining Engineer, Obed Jojo Menkah has taken on Shaanxi Mining Company in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, for negligence and poor safety standards, leading to the yearly deaths occurring underground.
So far 17 persons have been confirmed dead as scores are still on admission at the Upper East Regional hospital for inhaling toxic gas after an explosion carried out by Shaanxi, a Chinese mining firm providing mining support services for some concession owners in Gbani mining communities in the Talensi District.
It is apparent that deaths in that mining community has become a yearly ritual resulting from underground accidents.
But speaking Daybreak Upper East, on Thursday, Engineer Jojo Menkah said such accidents are recorded because of poor safety standards and called on authorities to independently investigate into the issue.
According to him, Shaanxi mining company does not seem to uphold safety mining standards in its operation, saying even the Shaanxi mining company staff do not wear protective clothing as they carry out their duties.
He said the workers are not member of the Ghana Mines Workers Union and so cannot get the support of the Union to negotiate for good salaries for them, as well as good working conditions.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association in the Upper East Region, Robert Tampoagre has expressed shock at the lack of will power by authorities to act appropriately.
Source: a1radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Ghana