The Minerals Commission has rejected claims put forth by the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, Yusif Sulemana, against the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, Sulemana accused Jinapor of granting mining concessions to foreign entities without adequate consultation.
In a press release issued on Monday, June 24, the Commission dismissed these allegations as groundless and unsubstantiated, arguing that such accusations should not be made by a legislator.
According to the Commission, as per the Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), no mineral rights can be awarded without consulting the relevant stakeholders affected by the mining operations.
Upon receipt of a mineral rights application, the Commission notifies the public through a Gazette notice and serves copies to pertinent landowners, chiefs, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as well as other interested parties, allowing them to voice any concerns.
The Commission called on the public to disregard the inaccurate claims made by the MP.
Yusif Sulemana had accused Minister Jinapor and the Minerals Commission of sidestepping proper consultation procedures, which he alleged resulted in increased tensions in the Bole-Bamboi constituency. He also claimed 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.
Yet, the Minerals Commission’s declaration reaffirmed its dedication to adhering to legal and regulatory protocols when awarding mineral rights, guaranteeing that all pertinent stakeholders are consulted and afforded the chance to express their apprehensions.
“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.