Minerals Commission refutes allegations of granting prospecting licence despite ban

The Minerals Commission has refuted claims by Member of Parliament for the Tamale North Constituency, Alhassan Suhuyini, that despite the ban on prospecting in Forest Reserves, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has granted such licenses to some companies to prospect for minerals.

The Commission, through a press release, on August 17, signed by its Chief Executive, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, asked the general public to disregard any publication from the legislator on such claims.

The Commission has stated categorically that: “Since assuming office as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on 5th March 2021, Mr. Jinapor has not granted a single prospecting licence to any company to undertake any exploration activities in Forest Reserves.

Meanwhile, the Commission noted that some companies have applied for prospecting licence but their applications have not been processed yet.

“The said publication is false and should be disregarded by the public.. Any person with a copy of any such licence should produce same.”

“Contrary to the said publication, Vimetco Ghana Bauxite Ltd has no prospecting licence granted by the Minister. In the case of Akonta Mining Ltd., the Company has applied for a prospecting licence which is yet to be processed by the Minerals Commission. The Company also applied for a Forest Entry Permit to enter the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. By a letter dated August 8, 2022, the Forestry Commission wrote to the Minerals Commission indicating that although it has, in principle, no objection to the Company’s application, the application must be processed “subject to the Honourable Minister of Lands and Natural Resources’ directive on mining in Forest Reserve.”

Read the full statement below:

THE MINISTER FOR LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES HAS NOT GRANTED ANY PROSPECTING LICENCE IN A FOREST RESERVE

The attention of the Minerals Commission has been drawn to a publication by the Member of Parliament for Tamale North Constituency, Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini, alleging that despite the ban on prospecting in Forest Reserves, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has granted prospecting licences to some companies to prospect for minerals in Forest Reserves.

The said publication is false and should be disregarded by the public. Since assuming office as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on 5th March, 2021, Hon. Jinapor has not granted a single prospecting licence to any company to undertake any exploration activities in Forest Reserves. Any person with a copy of any such licence should produce same.

Contrary to the said publication, Vimetco Ghana Bauxite Ltd has no prospecting licence granted by the Minister. In the case of Akonta Mining Ltd., the Company has applied for a prospecting licence which is yet to be processed by the Minerals Commission. The Company also applied for a Forest Entry Permit to enter the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. By a letter dated August 8, 2022, the Forestry Commission wrote to the Minerals Commission indicating that although it has, in principle, no objection to the Company’s application, the application must be processed “subject to the Honourable Minister of Lands and Natural Resources’ directive on mining in Forest Reserve.”

The Forestry Commission’s letter does not constitute a Forest Entry Permit nor a prospecting licence.

The Minerals Commission is, by law, mandated to make recommendations to the Minister for the grant of any mineral right. The Commission will not make any recommendation that contravenes Government policies, including the ban on reconnaissance, prospecting and/or exploration in Forest Reserves.

END

SIGNED

MARTIN K. AYISI

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER