The Minerals Commission has refuted allegations made by the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, Yusif Sulemana, against the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, accusing him of granting mining concessions to foreign entities without proper consultation.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 24, the Commission described these allegations as baseless and unfounded, asserting they should not be coming from a lawmaker.

The Commission emphasised that according to the Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), no mineral rights can be granted without consulting the relevant persons and institutions affected by the mineral operations.

It explained that upon receiving an application for a mineral right, the Commission publishes a notice in the Gazette and serves copies to the relevant landowner, Chief, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA), as well as other interested groups and stakeholders, allowing them to raise any concerns.

The Commission urged the public to disregard the false narrative being propagated by the MP.

Yusif Sulemana had accused Minister Jinapor and the Minerals Commission of bypassing proper consultation processes, which he claimed led to heightened tensions in the Bole-Bamboi constituency.

He further alleged that some NPP executives were assaulted by soldiers guarding the mining sites.

“It is an issue that we are all worried about. It’s on record that from the beginning of our constituency, that is Bamboi, and to the end of it, has plenty of mineral companies on both the right and left sides of the road and so of course, we have some galamsey activities going on there.”

“Unfortunately, from February to date, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has allocated the lands to over 7 large scale miners and the problem was that there was no proper stakeholder consultations. And so the youth are there and they will see heavy equipment coming to take over what they are doing and that is where the clash is coming from," he alleged.

However, the Minerals Commission's statement reiterated its commitment to following legal and regulatory procedures in granting mineral rights, ensuring all relevant parties are consulted and given the opportunity to voice their concerns.

"The attention of the Minerals Commission (“the Commission”) has been drawn to publications in a section of the media, attributed to the Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Yusif Sulemana, accusing the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission of granting mining concessions to foreigners without proper consultations. The said accusations, claims and/or allegations are false, baseless and unfounded."

"The Commission wishes to state, categorically, that in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), no mineral right is granted without consultation with the relevant persons and institutions to be affected by the mineral operation."

"Upon receipt of an application for a mineral right, notice of the application is published in the Gazette, and copies served on the relevant landowner, Chief, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA), as well as other interested groups and stakeholders, to enable them to raise any concerns they may have," an excerpt of the statement said.