No company issued licence to undertake reconnaisance, prospecting, exploration of minerals in Ghana’s Forest Reserve since March 2021 – Minerals C’ssion

The Minerals Commission has indicated that no company has been issued with a license to undertake reconnaissance, prospecting, and exploration of minerals in Ghana’s forest since March 2021.

According to them, Messrs. Koantwi Company Limited and others who are mining in a portion of the Forest Reserve were granted mining leases as far back as December 2020.

A statement signed by Mr. Martin K. Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission indicates that after the mining lease granted to Messrs. Koantwi Company Limited was duly ratified by Parliament, his outfit granted approval and issued a Forest Entry Permit to the same to mine within a portion of Ghana’s Forest.

The CEO also reiterated per the statement that the ban on reconnaissance, prospecting, and Exploration in Forest Reserves issued in 2021 by the sector Minister, is still in force.

Explaining why the ban was imposed, he noted that people acquired licenses for reconnaissance or prospecting but diverted to mining thus causing damage to the forest.

Mr. Ayisi further noted that the ban in force excludes mining or the extraction of minerals indicating that concessions of Newmont Ghana Limited, Chirano Gold Mines Ltd, and the Ghana Bauxite Company fall within the Forest Reserve but have been mining even before the ban was imposed.