Minerals Commission: We Are Taking Steps To Resist Operation Of Akonta Mining
The Minerals Commission of Ghana has announced it is taking steps to resist the operation of Akonta Mining Limited in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region in compliance with the directive of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor.
In a statement, the Commission reiterated that the mining company has a lease to undertake mining in some parts of Samreboi outside the forest reserve; however, it has no permit to operate in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve.
It explained that the company has two leases in the Samreboi area.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Akonta Mining Limited has two mining leases in the Sareboi area granted following a Reconnaissance Licence granted on 15th June 2011 and a Prospecting Licence granted on 31st December 2012”.
These licences, the Commission explained, are over an area in Samreboi dated 23rd July 2021-a lease that is already circulating on social media- and a mining lease over an area in Abokoase dated 23rd July 2021.
It furthered that none of these leases falls within the forest reserve in question.
“The letters from the Forestry Commission and the Minerals Commission dated 8th August and 7th September 2022 which are being circulated alongside the lease granted in 2021 have no bearing on the above set-out leases”.
It echoed that Akonta Mining has applied for a permit to operate in the Tano Nimiri forest reserve, however, the application is yet to be determined.
Even before the company is granted the permit or otherwise, reports indicate that it is “illegally” operating in the forest reserve.
The Minister for Lands last week declared the alleged operation of the Company in the forest reserve illegal and directed the Minerals Commission to resist its operations and take the necessary action against persons found culpable.
This, the Minerals commission assured, is being undertaken.
“…Steps are currently being undertaken to enforce the Minister’s directive issued on 30th September, 2022.”
The owner of the mining company, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako has stated that his company is committing no offence in its activities.
On his television station yesterday, he reportedly said his company has legal documents backing its operation and challenged the Minister and his stakeholders to go ahead with any legal process against him.
In a related development, the pressure group Occupy Ghana has urged the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to prosecute the company.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
