Lands Minister order immediate revocation Akonta Mining license
By DL News
Published
1 min read
During a press briefing on Monday, April 21, the minister revealed that Akonta Mining had been engaged in unauthorized mining operations, including activities commonly associated with galamsey, and had breached numerous mining laws.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has ordered the immediate cancellation of all mining licenses belonging to Akonta Mining Company Limited, following damning allegations of illegal mining and regulatory violations.
During a press briefing on Monday, April 21, the minister revealed that Akonta Mining had been engaged in unauthorized mining operations, including activities commonly associated with galamsey, and had breached numerous mining laws.
In a startling disclosure, Mr. Buah accused the company of unlawfully selling portions of the Aboi Forest Reserve to illegal miners, with each concession fetching as much as GH₵300,000. In some instances, these deals were sealed with gold as payment.
He further revealed that Akonta Mining demanded weekly gold royalties—amounting to 250 grams—from these miners in exchange for continued access to the forest lands.
In response to the mounting evidence, the minister confirmed that he has instructed the Minerals Commission to annul all leases granted to Akonta Mining immediately. He also ordered the suspension of forestry officials linked to the illegal dealings, pending investigation and potential prosecution.
Additionally, law enforcement agencies have been tasked with investigating security personnel believed to have collaborated with the company.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Ayine, has been briefed and is now overseeing the investigation into the matter. Mr. Buah stressed that Akonta Mining had no legal right to operate within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and that their activities there were unequivocally criminal.
Issuing a stern warning, the Minister cautioned other large-scale mining operators against hiding behind legitimate leases to commit environmental crimes.
