The Minerals Commission has defended the government’s decision to terminate the mining licences of Northern Ashanti Mines Limited, formerly Owere Mines, over unpaid fees totalling more than US$8.3 million and failure to undertake mining operations.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Commission said the company had failed to meet its legal obligations for several years, despite being given sufficient time to settle its debts and remedy the breaches.

According to the Commission, Northern Ashanti Mines acquired a mining lease covering 595 cadastral blocks in January 2010. Under Ghana’s mining laws, the company was required to pay annual mineral rights fees to maintain its licence.

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However, the Commission said the company failed to pay the required fees between 2010 and 2025, resulting in an outstanding debt of US$8.33 million. It also owed US$49,928 in fees for prospecting licences covering the period from 2019 to 2025.

The Commission said it issued a notice to the company on April 14, 2025, directing it to settle the outstanding payments. However, the company failed to comply within the stipulated period.

In addition to the unpaid fees, the Commission said investigations showed that Northern Ashanti Mines had failed to undertake meaningful mining activities on its concession for more than two years, contrary to Section 69(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Following the company’s failure to remedy the breaches, the Commission requested the Lands Minister’s approval to cancel its licences on April 7, 2026. The Minister approved the request on April 24, and the licences were cancelled on April 30.

The Commission defended the decision, saying it had acted in accordance with the law and given the company sufficient time to fulfil its obligations.

“The law is the law. Mineral rights are not an inheritance,” the statement said, adding that all mining companies must comply with Ghana’s laws, regardless of their ownership.

The Commission said the mining rights had reverted to the State, but Northern Ashanti Mines remained liable for its outstanding debts.

It also accused the company of using the media to garner public sympathy while the matter was already before the court.

“The Minerals Commission remains resolute in its resolve to uphold the laws without fear or favour and will not be distracted by media theatrics,” it stated.

Meanwhile, Northern Ashanti Mines has filed a legal challenge against the termination of its licences.

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The Commission said it would defend its decision while taking steps to protect the mining assets that had reverted to the State from illegal occupation or interference.





DR/MA

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