Hajia Amina
Chief Executive Officer of AC Zenon Limited, Hajia Amina Tahiru, a licensed miner, has vehemently denied allegations of engaging in illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
Speaking during a media tour of her mining site at Akyem-Asuom in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region, Hajia Amina showcased documentation, including her mining lease and contracts with local farmers, to demonstrate her commitment to responsible mining practices.
Her reactions follow a series of allegations made by the destooled Akyem Asuom Kontihene, Nana Boadi Amponim Obodade III, alleging that she is engaging in illegal mining in the Asuom enclave, which she has refused to comply with the community’s demands to stop operations and reclaim damaged lands.
On Friday, Hajia Tahiru took journalists to the site, where officers of the Minerals Commission in Koforidua were present.
She confirmed the legitimacy of the mining lease issued to the company to undertake operations in 2022 and refuted the Kontihene’s allegations.
Hajia Tahiru noted that the Asuom destooled Kontihene was only bitter after the company refused to succumb to his demands against a collective community agreement.
“I hold in my hands my mining lease, it is not even a prospecting licence; a mining lease I have with all my other documents that support me to do mining. This is the site where we are currently standing. You can see behind me a settling pond that we have created,” she stated.
Setting the Record Straight
Hajia Amina highlighted that her site, located 200 metres away from the nearest stream, utilises a specially constructed pond for recycling purposes, minimising water usage and preventing pollution.
“This pond alone took up to three months to complete, and we are not drawing water directly from the stream. The stream is about 200 metres away from where we are currently,” she stated.
Regarding allegations of destroying cocoa trees, Hajia Amina clarified, “…I don’t even have a single cocoa tree around me here, and with all the lands that have been mined, were compensated, duly compensated with a proper agreement given to the farmers, they signed, we signed, and we took over the land and we even gave them a duration and gave it back to them.”
A Vocal Advocate Against Illegal Mining
With 25 years of experience in small-scale mining, Hajia Amina expressed frustration with the destructive practices of unlicensed miners, which harm both the environment and legitimate operators.
“I am one of the vocal persons who is totally against illegal mining in this country. I have talked about it. I have gone to the extent that I took it upon myself to go to some of my colleagues’ sites to advise them as to how to do their work properly,” she explained.
“Illegal mining doesn’t just affect the water bodies and the environment; it also affects some of us who have legitimate licences. Like today, I have my concession; illegal miners have invaded the whole area, some part of the concession, and it is a daunting task for me to be able to get rid of them,” she stated.
A Call to Action
Hajia Amina called on authorities to distinguish between legitimate and illegal miners.
“Government can’t come after me; I have my licence. But illegal miners encroach on my land, and I’m battling to protect my investment. I want to assure Ghanaians that I’m dedicated to sustainable mining practices.”
Refuting Allegations
Hajia Amina also refuted claims that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, is her relative.
“I don’t even know how I was even linked to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. I am not related to him at all. I am not from his constituency; that is the irony. I am a Gonja by birth. I am also a Dagomba by birth; those are my identities, and I am very proud to be a Gonja and a Dagomba at the same time, but in no way am I related to Abu Jinapor,” she affirmed.
BY Daniel Bampoe