The Minerals Commission has defended the termination of the mining leases and prospecting licences held by Northern Ashanti Mines Limited, formerly Owere Mines, citing persistent non-payment of statutory fees and failure to undertake meaningful mining operations.
In a press 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 agreements governing the company’s mineral rights.
According to the Commission, the company acquired a mining lease covering 595 cadastral blocks for the Owere Mines in January 2010 and was required to pay Annual Mineral Right (AMR) fees under Section 24 of Act 703 and the terms of its lease agreement.
The Commission said that, as of April 14, 2025, Northern Ashanti Mines owed US$8.33 million in outstanding fees for its mining leases covering the period from 2010 to 2025, as well as US$49,928 for prospecting licences covering 2019 to 2025.
It said notices to remedy the breaches were issued to the company under Section 68(2) of Act 703 and Regulation 200(3) of L.I. 2176, but the company failed to settle the outstanding amounts within the stipulated period.
The Commission further alleged that the company had not undertaken meaningful mining operations on the concession for more than two years, contrary to Section 69(1) of Act 703.
Termination process
The Commission said that following the company’s failure to remedy the breaches, it notified the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on April 7, 2026, requesting the issuance of a termination notice.
According to the statement, the Minister approved the issuance of the notice on April 24, 2026, and the Commission proceeded with the termination on April 30, 2026.
The Commission maintained that it followed due process and gave the company opportunities to regularise its position before the termination.
“The law is the law. Mineral rights are not an inheritance,” the Commission stated, adding that all holders of mineral rights, regardless of whether they are indigenous companies, are required to comply with statutory obligations, including the payment of fees and the undertaking of meaningful mining operations.
State to protect reverted assets
The Commission said the terminated mineral rights had reverted to the State, while the company remained liable for obligations incurred before the termination.
It added that it reserved the right to pursue the recovery of all outstanding amounts owed to the State.
The Commission also said the State had a responsibility to protect assets that had reverted to it from being dissipated or taken over by encroachers and other illegal actors. It cited Section 70 of Act 703 as providing for the status of mining assets following the termination of mineral rights.
Legal action
The Commission disclosed that Northern Ashanti Mines had instituted legal proceedings against the State to challenge the termination after acknowledging receipt of the notice.
It criticised the company’s public campaign over the matter, arguing that pursuing public sympathy while litigation was ongoing was inappropriate and undermined the judicial process.
The Commission accused the company of promoting what it described as false narratives and insisted that it would not be distracted from enforcing the country’s mining laws.
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the law “without fear or favour.”
The statement was signed by the Communications and Corporate Affairs Directorate of the Minerals Commission.
The statement reflects the Minerals Commission’s position on the dispute. The company’s response to the allegations was not included in the statement.
