Ghana seeks $8.33 million from Northern Ashanti Mines
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
Ghana’s Minerals Commission is urging Northern Ashanti Mines to challenge the termination of its mining rights in court rather than in the media. The company owes $8.33 million in royalties on its mining leases and $49,928 on its prospecting licences, according to chief executive Isaac Tandoh, quoted by MyJoyOnline.
Ghana’s Minerals Commission is seeking $8.33 million from Northern Ashanti Mines Limited in unpaid annual mining royalties for its mining leases covering 2010–2025. It is also seeking $49,928 for prospecting licences covering 2019–2025, according to MyJoyOnline.
The Commission’s chief executive, Isaac Tandoh, said on 29 October that the company should challenge the termination of its mining rights in court rather than in the media. Northern Ashanti Mines has filed a lawsuit against the minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, the Commission and the Attorney-General. The Commission says the company acknowledged receiving notice of termination but failed to settle its debts despite several opportunities to regularise its position.
On 22 October, Commission officials accompanied by soldiers entered the concession to enforce the termination. The Commission cites non-payment of royalties and the absence of significant mining activity for more than two years. It says the mining rights have reverted to the state, without extinguishing the company’s financial obligations, and that it will continue to recover the money owed.
The termination of the licences over $8.3 million in unpaid dues, announced on 27 October, came before a former inspector’s call for the company to negotiate on 28 October. The Commission now maintains that the dispute should be settled by the courts, following the termination of Northern Ashanti Mines’ licences and the call to negotiate over unpaid dues.
