The spokesperson for Xtra-Gold Mining Company Limited, has rubbished claims that the company is involved in illegal mining.

Nana Asante said the company is one of the many mining companies doing genuine work and ensuring that they do not go against mining laws in the country.

According to him, they have all the required documents and recent events are attempts "to put it into bad light."

Mr Asante said, "Xtra-Gold is a Canadian mining firm, has been operating since 2006 and holds five concessions in Ghana and its mother company, Xtra-Gold Resources Corporation, is enlisted on the New York Stock Exchange."

"It has immensely been a reliable source of government’s revenue generation for development by paying its taxes religiously to the state. The company has given jobs to over 700 people directly and indirectly, especially from its catchment communities," he added.

His comment comes after the military task force, selected to clamp down on illegal mining, burnt some 20 excavators while working in Atiwa in the Eastern Region on May 16.

Eight out of those excavators were said to belong to Kate Gyamfuah, the governing New Patriotic Party’s Women’s Organiser. The company in a press release stated that 16 of its excavators and one bulldozer were destroyed.

However, the company’s spokesperson said, "Xtra-Gold Mining is a registered limited liability company owned by a group of investors and not the bonafide of Madam Gyamfua as it is being rumoured.

"The company’s mining site is not close to a river body and the Atewa Forest as it is being alleged. It rather has four dugout wells for its operations and reclaims lands hurriedly after its operations."

He said, "the invasion of the concession sites by the military on three different occasions to set 20 excavators and other equipment on fire, on suspicion of illegal mining on May 16, is wrong, unruly and utterly out of place."

According to him, "No Changfang machine was spotted at the sites. Video footages on television and social media channels clearly show destruction of rivers and water bodies by the use of changfang machines mining in them.

"But when the task force went to Xtra-Gold mining concessions, they never showed video footages of the destruction of rivers and water bodies at Atewa. Residents in the concession communities have never complained of any problem against the company destroying their farms."

He added, "The instigators misled inconsiderate military guys who were interested in carrying out the operation in a manner to satisfy their quest to show power against officials of the company who are diligently doing their work legally."

Mr Asante said Xtra Gold Mining has been paying royalties and has fulfilled all its obligation as a mining company as prescribed by the mining act.

"Our Corporate Social Responsibilities to communities where we operate are outstanding. The company has built modern toilet facilities, boreholes and gives out a percentage of the gold mined to communities within its five concessions every quarter. What’s more, Xtra-Gold has built a clinic at Akyem Pameng and a palace.

“The reputable company has never, and will not attempt to engage in galamsey as it is wrongfully rumoured.”