Three workers of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited have reportedly sustained injuries following an underground confrontation involving the large-scale mining company and Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise at Gbane in the Upper East Region.
The incident occurred at dawn on Friday, amid growing tensions over a disputed 25-acre concession where both companies have been involved in a prolonged mining-related dispute.
A spokesperson for Earl International confirmed the incident and said those injured included a Chinese national working as an underground supervisor and two security personnel employed by Reliable Protection Services, which provides security services to the mining company.
The latest confrontation occurred less than 24 hours after the Upper East Regional Security Council announced measures aimed at preventing further escalation of security and safety concerns in the Gbane mining area.
Among the measures was a directive for Nanlamtaaba Mining Enterprise to ensure that its workers wore identifiable protective clothing.
The Regional Security Council also directed the small-scale mining operator not to conduct blasting activities until it had obtained the necessary certification and complied with applicable regulatory requirements.
The underground confrontation reportedly resulted in the arrest of an alleged agent of Nanlamtaaba, who was found carrying explosives. The individual was subsequently handed over to the police.
The dispute has intensified following the execution of a Bolgatanga High Court order directing the Upper East Regional Police Command to provide protection for Nanlamtaaba to undertake mining operations on the disputed concession.
However, the small-scale mining firm’s licence covering the concession had expired, according to the account provided by Earl International.
The latest incident comes days after Earl International raised concerns over what it described as deteriorating security conditions within its mining concession.
In a statement issued on September 30, the company accused Nanlamtaaba of continuing mining activities despite what Earl described as the absence of a valid mining licence, mining operating permit, environmental permit, explosives permit and other regulatory approvals.
Earl International called on the government and relevant regulatory agencies to enforce the Cease and Vacate Order and restore what it described as full operational control of the concession.
The company also appealed for sustained security protection at the site to prevent further incursions and safeguard its workers.
The circumstances surrounding the underground confrontation and the alleged possession of explosives remain subject to police investigation, while tensions over the disputed concession continue.
