The Minerals Commission has defended its decision to terminate the mining leases and prospecting licences of Northern Ashanti Mines Limited, formerly Owere Mines, citing unpaid statutory fees and failure to undertake meaningful mining operations.
In a statement dated October 27, 2026, the Commission said the termination was carried out in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), and the terms of the company’s agreements with the State.
“The Mining Leases and Prospecting Licence of the company were terminated strictly in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176) as well as the terms of the agreements it held, following the Company’s own persistent and flagrant breaches of Ghanaian law,” the Commission stated.
The Commission said the company acquired a mining lease covering 595 cadastral blocks in January 2010 in respect of the Owere Mines and was required to pay Annual Mineral Right (AMR) fees annually.
According to the Commission, pursuant to section 68(2) of Act 703 and regulation 200(3) of L.I. 2176, it issued notices on April 14, 2025 directing the Company to settle the outstanding AMR fees for the Mining Leases from 2010 to 2025, and for Prospecting Licences from 2019 to 2025.
The Commission stated that the total amount owed in respect of the mining leases stood at US$8,330,000, while the amount owed in respect of prospecting licences was US$49,928.
However, the Commission said Northern Ashanti Mines failed to settle the arrears within the stipulated period.
It also said the company had not undertaken meaningful mining operations on the concession for more than two years, contrary to Section 69(1) of Act 703.
“And yet, the Company failed to comply within the stipulated period. It was further established that the Company had not undertaken any meaningful mining operations on the concession for a period exceeding two (2) years, in direct contravention of section 69(1) of Act 703.”
Following the company’s failure to remedy the breaches, the Commission said it notified the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on April 7, 2026, requesting the issuance of a termination notice.
The Minister approved the notice on April 24, 2026, and the Commission proceeded to terminate the mineral rights on April 30, 2026.
The Minerals Commission stated that it acted lawfully in terminating the license and followed due process at every stage.
The Commission maintained that the company had been given sufficient opportunity to regularise its position but failed to do so.
“The law is the law. Mineral rights are not an inheritance,” the statement said, adding that all holders of mineral rights must comply with statutory requirements, including the payment of fees and the conduct of meaningful mining operations.
It further stated that the terminated mineral rights had reverted to the State, without absolving the company of liabilities incurred before the termination.
The Commission said it would pursue the outstanding debts and take steps to protect the assets that had reverted to the State against encroachment or interference by illegal actors.
“The Commission reserves the right and shall pursue the company to pay all the sums it owes to the State. Further, the State has the responsibility to protect and secure the assets that have reverted to the State from being dissipated or overrun by any encroachers or other illegal actors.
“It is noteworthy that the mining laws have adequate provision for the status of mining assets on termination of such rights under section 70 of Act 703.”
The Commission acknowledged that Northern Ashanti Mines had instituted legal proceedings against the State to challenge the termination and subsequent government actions.
The Commission said it has noted that the Company has instituted legal proceedings against the State in court challenging Government’s lawful exercise of its rights after the Company had duly acknowledged receipt of the termination notice.
However, it criticised the company for engaging in a public campaign over the matter while the case was before the courts, describing its actions as an attempt to promote what it called false narratives.
“Having done so, it is improper and contemptuous of the judicial process for the Company to simultaneously resort to the court of public opinion, peddling false narratives and soliciting sympathy for a matter it flagrantly violated. “
The Commission said it remained committed to enforcing Ghana’s mining laws without fear or favour.
The Law Is The Law – Lawful Termination Of Northern Ashanti Mines After 15 Years Of Non-Payment
