Northern Ashanti Mines: NAIMOS Concession Dispute Alleges Illegal Transfer

• Northern Ashanti Mines (NAMLC) alleges that officials from Ghana's Minerals Commission and NAIMOS attempted to transfer its Konongo concession to Chinese nationals.
• This alleged attempt followed a NAIMOS operation on October 22, 2026, where NAMLC personnel were given 12 hours to vacate the site.
• NAMLC's claims are supported by CCTV footage and recorded conversations, which have been shown on national television.
• The company further alleges that NAIMOS officers attempted to access its server room to disable cameras after the broadcast.
• NAMLC has initiated legal proceedings, including an interlocutory injunction, challenging the purported revocation of its leases and the concession takeover.

The ongoing legal challenge underscores the gravity of the Northern Ashanti Mines NAIMOS concession dispute, highlighting a significant conflict over mining rights and regulatory conduct in Ghana.

Northern Ashanti Mines Limited Company (NAMLC) has brought forth serious accusations against officials from both the Minerals Commission and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). The mining firm alleges that these officials attempted to transfer its lawfully acquired concession located in Konongo to individuals of Chinese nationality. This alleged attempt followed an operation conducted by NAIMOS officers at NAMLC's mining concessions on October 22, 2026. During this operation, NAMLC personnel were reportedly given a mere twelve hours to vacate the premises.

NAMLC further claims that despite the presence of NAIMOS officers at the site, illegal mining activities have persisted within the concessions. The company's solicitors, Vint and Aletheia, formally communicated these concerns in a letter dated October 31, 2026, addressed to the Director of Operations of NAIMOS. The letter specifically highlighted what the company described as an effort to hand over its concession to the Chinese nationals, an act NAMLC views as a significant breach of its rights.

Central to Northern Ashanti Mines' claims is CCTV footage recorded at its mining facility, which reportedly captured the presence of the Chinese nationals on the concession. NAMLC asserts that these individuals were introduced to the site by officials representing the Minerals Commission and NAIMOS. The company's legal representatives, Vint and Aletheia, have stated that this footage, alongside recorded conversations, has already been presented on national television, purporting to show a "criminal and illicit attempt" by the Minerals Commission to transfer NAMLC's legally held concession.

Following the public broadcast of these recordings, NAMLC alleges that NAIMOS officers made attempts to access the company's server room, seemingly with the intention of disconnecting or switching off the surveillance cameras. NAMLC's lawyers contend that such an action would compromise crucial evidence related to activities at the mining site. Consequently, Northern Ashanti Mines has issued a stern warning to NAIMOS, cautioning against any further interference with its server room or CCTV infrastructure, and has threatened legal action against the Secretariat and any involved state officials.

In response to these developments, Northern Ashanti Mines Limited Company has initiated legal proceedings to contest what it describes as the purported revocation of its mining leases and prospecting licenses, as well as the unauthorized takeover of its concessions. A critical component of this legal strategy is an application for an interlocutory injunction, which is currently awaiting judicial review. This injunction seeks to restrain the relevant authorities, specifically naming the Minerals Commission and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, from further actions that would impact NAMLC's rights.

NAMLC's legal team, Vint and Aletheia, has formally urged NAIMOS to cease any further interference with the company's property and electronic records. This request is intended to maintain the status quo and preserve evidence until the court renders a decision on the pending application. The ongoing legal challenge underscores the gravity of the Northern Ashanti Mines NAIMOS concession dispute, highlighting a significant conflict over mining rights and regulatory conduct in Ghana.

The unfolding dispute between Northern Ashanti Mines, the Minerals Commission, and NAIMOS carries substantial implications for the broader mining sector in Ghana. This case, involving allegations of a Ghana mining concession takeover and the introduction of unauthorized parties, could establish important precedents regarding the security of mining rights and the accountability of regulatory bodies. The Ghana Minerals Commission allegations, particularly concerning the alleged attempt to transfer a lawfully acquired concession, raise questions about the integrity of concession management and oversight.

The outcome of NAMLC's interlocutory injunction against the Minerals Commission and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources will be closely watched by other mining companies operating in Ghana. It will likely influence how concession rights are protected and how regulatory actions, especially during anti-illegal mining operations, are conducted and challenged. The emphasis on CCTV footage and recorded conversations also highlights the critical importance for companies to meticulously document and preserve evidence of all interactions with regulatory authorities, particularly in contentious situations.

Lawyers representing mining companies in Ghana should closely monitor the outcome of Northern Ashanti Mines' interlocutory injunction against NAIMOS and the Minerals Commission, as it could set precedents regarding the protection of concession rights and the conduct of regulatory bodies during anti-illegal mining operations. This case highlights the critical need for companies to document and preserve evidence of regulatory interactions and potential interference.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com