Some communities in Ngaski LGA of Kebbi state have warned El-Tahdam Exploration Limited, a mining company, to “steer clear of their lands to avoid unrest”.
In a letter addressed to the managing director of the mining company, the communities accused the company of forcing its way on the lands in question without the consent of the host communities.
The affected communities are Warra, Libata, Kabirba and Kwanga communities in Ngaski LGA.
The letter was endorsed by traditional rulers of the affected communities.
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In the letter, the community leaders said since there was no contact between them and the company, a community development agreement could not have been signed.
The community leaders alleged forceful attempt to takeover the land in question “has unsettled the host community, causing avoidable pandemonium, unrest, and trauma”.
The community leaders said a community development agreement had already been signed with Three Crown Mines Limited over the land in question.
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“We have been dismayed by the sad development that your company, EL-TAHDAM Exploration Limited, was purportedly granted an Exploration Licence No. 45689 EL and Mining Lease No. 62680 ML over areas of land in respect of which, the land owners had already given their consent to Three Crown Mines Limited and over which Three Crown Mines Limited had already been granted Exploration Licence No. 45158 EL since the 8th day of June, 2023,” the statement reads.
“We wish to categorically note and humbly but firmly emphasise that we neither know your company nor welcome it to our community.
“Ultimately, we are not ready and willing to deal or relate with it as far as the land in respect of which the company was purportedly granted the Exploration Licence and Mining Lease, is concerned.
“You know very well that WE DID NOT AND NEVER GAVE THE SAID COMPANY, EL-TAHDAM EXPLORATION LIMITED, OUR CONSENT FOR THE SAID EXPLORATION LICENCE NO. 45689 EL and MINING LEASE NO. 62680 ML OR ANY OTHER LICENCE OR LEASE AT ALL!
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“The consent which your company claims it obtained and on the basis of which the company was wrongfully granted an Exploration License and
Mining Lease, was vehemently disclaimed by the persons you claimed
gave the said consent.
“It is imperative to reiterate that the only company that was given consent over the land in question by the owners of the said lands, is Three Crown Mines Limited and the consent was given out of an established trust and cordial relationship of the communities and Three Crown Mines limited.
“It is also crucial to emphasize that we have signed a Community Development Agreement with Three Crown Mines Limited as required by the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act and Nigeria Minerals and Mining Regulations.
“In view of the above and more, we cannot, therefore, in good conscience,
co-operate and relate with El Tahdam company over areas of land in respect of which the land owners have already been compensated and legitimately taken (and still taking) benefits from another company (Three Crown Mines Limited) which had earlier been granted EL and SSML over the area, and which still subsist; and over which area the said Three Crown Mines Limited has applied for grant of Mining Leases.”
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When TheCable reached out to Adamu Tah, managing director of mining company, via his telephone line, the number was out of reach.
A follow-up attempt was made through WhatsApp, but after the reporter introduced himself as a journalist, it appeared the line was subsequently blocked.
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