Northern Ashanti Mines
The Minerals Commission says Northern Ashanti Mines Limited, formerly Owere Mines, owes the State more than US$8.38 million in unpaid annual mineral right fees, defending the termination of the company’s mining leases and prospecting licences over the outstanding payments and lack of meaningful mining operations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday (October 27), the Commission said the company’s mineral rights were terminated in April 2026 after it failed to settle outstanding fees despite being given notice to remedy the breaches.
The outstanding amount comprises US$8.33 million in annual mineral right fees relating to mining leases covering the period from 2010 to 2025, and US$49,928 for prospecting licences covering 2019 to 2025.
According to the Commission, Northern Ashanti Mines acquired a mining lease covering 595 cadastral blocks for Owere Mines in January 2010. Under Section 24 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and the terms of its mining lease agreement, the company was required to pay annual mineral right fees.
On April 14, 2025, the Commission issued notices requiring the company to remedy the breaches under Section 68(2) of Act 703 and Regulation 200(3) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176).
The Commission said the company failed to comply within the stipulated period. It also alleged that Northern Ashanti Mines had not undertaken meaningful mining operations on the concession for more than two years, contrary to Section 69(1) of Act 703.
The Commission subsequently notified the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources on April 7, 2026, requesting that a termination notice be served on the company. The Minister approved the issuance of the notice on April 24, 2026, and the Commission acted on April 30, 2026.
It maintained that the termination followed the applicable laws and procedures, adding that the company had been given an opportunity to regularise its position but failed to do so.
The Commission said the mineral rights had reverted to the State following their termination, but stressed that this did not extinguish the company’s outstanding liabilities.
It said it would pursue recovery of the unpaid fees and take steps to protect the assets that had reverted to the State from encroachment or other unauthorised activities.
Below is a copy of the statement:
The Law Is The Law – Lawful Termination Of Northern Ashanti Mines After 15 Years Of Non-Payment.pdf by Fred Dzakpata
