Konongo Chiefs back revocation of Northern Ashanti Mines licence; call for transparency

The Minerals Commission has advised Northern Ashanti Mines Limited to take its legal dispute over the termination of its mining leases and prospecting licences to court, rather than engaging with the public. The company has acknowledged receiving the termination notice but has proceeded with legal action against the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, and the Attorney-General.

The dispute arose after Commission officials, with military assistance, entered the company's concession on October 22 to enforce the termination of mineral rights. The Commission cited the company's failure to pay US$8.33 million in outstanding Annual Mineral Right fees for rights covering 2010-2025 and US$49,928 in fees for prospecting licences between 2019-2025 as the reason for the termination.

The Commission claims it acted in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations 2012, and the terms of its agreements with the company. It also states that the company was given multiple chances to rectify its situation but failed to do so. At a press conference on October 29, the Commission's CEO, Isaac Tandoh, urged the company to let the judicial process resolve the issue, stating that it should pursue the courts and not the public arena.

Tandoh rejected the company's claim of seeking dialogue, arguing that suing the relevant authorities while making public statements equated to pursuing the dispute in court and through the media at the same time. He emphasized that such conduct was improper and disrespectful to the judicial process. The Commission noted that the termination has returned the mineral rights to the state but did not erase the company's financial obligations.