Konongo, Juansa chiefs back revocation of Northern Ashanti Mines license

Traditional authorities in Konongo and Juansa have backed the revocation of the mining license of Northern Ashanti Mines Limited in its catchment. They cite poor performance, environmental degradation and neglect of responsibilities towards local communities. This comes after the Minerals Commission terminated the company’s mineral rights following allegations that portions of the concession were given to illegal miners. Staff have since been asked to vacate the concession as the mine is non-operational. Chief of Konongo, Nana Dr. Awuah Abedimsa II, supports the Commission. “Minerals Commission is the statutory body responsible for mining and they have performance indicators which they use in measuring the performance of all Mining Companies. So the action taken by the minerals commission on behalf of the Konongo mine, I agree with it,” he said.

He added that “the Northern Ashanti Mines in my opinion didn’t have the resources to mine the deposits and it has given rise to the environmental degradation that we fought and continue to fight against. ” He wants the mine given to credible investors. Chief of Juansa, Nana Tweneboah Kodua Bempah, also backs a reset. “The illegal miners have destroyed some water bodies in the area. Our community largely depend on farming and whoever mines there should do it responsibly. We need people who will mine responsibly so we can protect our river bodies,” he said. Government intervention The lease was granted to Owere Mines in January 2010 covering 595 cadastral blocks. Under Section 24 of Act 703, it was bound to pay Annual Mineral Right fees, which it failed to do so. The Minerals Commission says it exercised persistent forbearance issuing a Notice to Remedy Breach in May 2020 when arrears exceeded US$4 million. The company,…