By: Felix Cofie
The Minerals Commission has stated emphatically that Akonta Mining Limited has NO mining lease nor mineral right, and/or permit to undertake any mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
A statement from the Minerals Commission said its attention 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 of Lands and Natural Resources issued a Press Statement on 30th September 2022, stating that ”Akonta Mining Ltd has a mining lease to undertake mining operations in some parts of Samreboi, outside the Forest Reserve, but 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:
1. Mining lease over an area in Samreboi, dated 23rd July 2021, (the Lease in circulation); and
2. Mining lease over an area in Abokoase dated 23rd July, 2021. The statement said none of the above Leases, fall within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, or any Forest Reserve for that matter. According to the statement 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.
The statement concluded that steps are currently being undertaken to enforce the Minister’s Directive issued on 30th September, 2022.