The Minerals Commission has confirmed that Akonta Mining Limited is operating illegally within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.
This is centrally, to the company’s recent claims of holding valid mineral rights in the area it is operating.
In an official statement issued Tuesday, the Commission clarified that Akonta does not possess any legal mining lease or the necessary permits to carry out mining operations in the forest reserve.
This comes in response to a press conference held on April 21 by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, who accused the company of engaging in illegal mining activities within the protected area.
According to the Commission, Akonta was previously granted a reconnaissance licence for an area in Samreboi outside the forest reserve in June 2011, which expired in June 2012. A subsequent prospecting licence was issued over the same area in December 2012 for two years, expiring in 2014.
In 2021, Akonta was granted three separate mining leases for areas outside the Tano Nimiri Forest, none of which have been ratified or have received the requisite environmental or operational permits.
The Commission noted that while Akonta did apply for a prospecting licence within the forest reserve, the application was later withdrawn. A subsequent mining lease application submitted on August 25, 2022, has not been signed or approved by the Minister.
The Minerals Commission emphasized that lawful mining operations require a ratified mining lease, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit, and an Operating Permit from the Chief Inspector of Mines. In the case of forest reserves, a Forest Entry Permit is also mandatory.
“Akonta has no mining lease in the forest or any other permits or authorisations required to undertake mining operations lawfully in the forest,” the Commission stated, adding that a joint security operation recently found the company’s agents working within the forest, based on GPS coordinates from the site.
The Commission reiterated that all mining activities conducted by Akonta—both within and outside the Tano Nimiri Forest without the required permits are illegal.
The statement was signed by Victoria Awuni, Esq., Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
