Minerals Commission Exposes ‘Fake’ Akonta Mining Lease
The Minerals Commission has debunked a purported mining lease in circulation said to be a mining right given to Akonta Mining Limited to undertake mining operations in the besieged Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
According to the commission, the embattled mining company has absolutely no lease to mine in the forest reserve.
A statement by the Minerals Commission, copied to The Anchor, clarified that the mining company, which has been forced to halt operations in the forest at the moment, has two mining leases.
The leases specifically cover the Samreboi area, and were granted following a Reconnaissance Licence granted on 15th June, 2011 and a Prospecting Licence granted on 31st December, 2012.
The commission listed the two as: – Mining lease over an area in Samreboi, dated 23rd July 2021, the lease in circulation now, and Mining lease over an area in Abokoase, dated 23rd July, 2021.
The statement, issued yesterday, October 3, said neither of the aforementioned leases grants Akonta Mining Limited, a company said to belong to the Ashanti Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, the right to storm the forest reserve for mining purpose.
It said the letters from the Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission, being churned out alongside the leases granted in 2021, have no correlation whatsoever.
“None of the above Leases fall within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, or any Forest Reserve for that matter. The letters from the Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission, dated 8th August, 2022 and 7th September, 2022, which are being circulated alongside the Lease granted in 2021, have no bearing on the above set-out leases.”
This comes on the heels of a purported mining lease said to have been circulated in an attempt to rubbish an earlier statement by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, on September 30.
Mr. Jinapor’s September 30 statement directing the Forestry Commission to halt operations by Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve read in parts: “The attention of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has been drawn to publications about certain operations by Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Amenfi West Municipality in the Western Region.
“Records available to the Ministry show that while Akonta Mining Ltd has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi outside the Forest Reserve, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.”
It continued, “Our records show that Akonta Mining Ltd, on 25th August, 2022, applied for a Mining Lease to undertake mining operations in the said Forest Reserve. By a Ministerial Directive, all reconnaissance, prospecting and /or expiratory activities in Forest Reserves in the country are suspended, except in exceptional circumstances. Although this directive does not affect mining in Forest Reserves, Akonta Mining Limited’s application has not been determined. Accordingly, any alleged activity undertaken by the company in the Forest Reserve is illegal.
“The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has, therefore, directed the Forestry Commission to, forthwith, ensure that the company does not carry out any operation in the Forest and to take the necessary action against any person found culpable in this matter.”
Published Below Is The Full Statement By The Minerals Commission:
“Following the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Press Release on 30th September, 2022, on the alleged operations of Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, the attention of the Minerals Commission has been drawn to a Mining Lease in circulation, purporting to be a lease granted to the company to undertake mining operations in the said Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
It will be recalled that the Ministry’s Press Statement of 30th September, 2022, stated that ”while Akonta Mining Ltd has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, outside the Forest Reserve, the company has no mineral right to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.”
For the avoidance of doubt, Akonta Mining Limited has two mining leases in the Samreboi area, granted following a Reconnaissance Licence granted on 15th June, 2011 and a Prospecting Licence granted on 31st December, 2012. These are:
- Mining lease over an area in Samreboi, dated 23rd July 2021, (the Lease in circulation); and
- Mining lease over an area in Abokoase dated 23rd July, 2021.
None of the above Leases, fall within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, or any Forest Reserve for that matter. The letters from the Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission, dated 8th August, 2022 and 7th September, 2022, which are being circulated alongside the Lease granted in 2021, have no bearing on the above set-out leases.
As indicated in the Ministry’s Press Statement, dated 30th September, 2022, Akonta Mining Ltd has a pending application dated 25th August, 2022, for a Mining Lease over an area within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. That application has not been determined by the Minister, who is mandated by law, to grant or refuse such applications.
As indicated in the Ministry’s Press Statement, dated 30th September, 2022, Akonta Mining Ltd has a pending application dated 25th August, 2022, for a Mining Lease over an area within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. That application has not been determined by the Minister, who is mandated by law, to grant or refuse such applications.
And for the avoidance of any doubt, Akonta Mining Limited has NO mining lease, mineral right, and/or permit to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, and steps are currently being undertaken to enforce the Minister’s Directive issued on 30th September, 2022.”
Source: Anchorghana
