Chinese Investors Frustrated! …As Illegal Miners Take Over Concession, But Minerals Commission Is Mute

A Chinese mining company, Global Ore Industries Limited, has alleged that it is being frustrated from taking over a legally approved concession at Aboso, in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region, and has consequently called on the Minerals Commission (MC) to intervene.

According to the company, despite having secured official approval from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) to operate a large-scale mining concession, stretching from Fanti Mine to Bompieso, activities of illegal miners have prevented it from commencing operations.

Documents sighted by The Chronicle indicate that the Ministry, in a letter dated January 3, 2025 granted approval for the transfer of the Aboso Mining Lease from Adudanfed Company Limited to Global Ore Industries Limited.
The letter, signed by the then Minister for Lands and Natural Resources,  Samuel A. Jinapor, and titled “Application by Adudanfed Company Limited for the Transfer Consent of Its Aboso Mining Lease to Global Ore Industries Limited”, stated:

“In accordance with section 14 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and upon the recommendation of the Minerals Commission pursuant to section 100(2) of the same Act, I hereby approve the deed of assignment between Adudanfed Company Limited and Global Ore Industries Limited in respect of the Aboso Mining Lease.”

The approval letter was copied to the Minerals Commission, Ghana Revenue Authority, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Prestea Huni-Valley District Assembly.
Despite this, Global Ore Industries says it has been unable to assume control over the concession due to persistent encroachment and resistance from illegal miners operating on the site having paid millions of cedis as compensation to farmers who have their crops on the concession.

The company has, therefore, called on the Minerals Commission to intervene to help it secure the legally acquired concession it approved to the company.
An Official of the company told The Chronicle in a telephone interview that, it is not getting cooperation from both the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the area plus the Legislator.

The company official continued that despite recent NAIMOS decision to flush out the illegal miners from the concession, the illegal miners who are mostly party folks have still not evacuated from the concession.
In a bid to address the matter, officials of the company on Monday held a meeting with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Prestea Huni-Valley, Dr. Matthew Ayeh, during which they introduced themselves and complained about the challenges they face.

The company official told this paper the meeting ended inconclusively because, the MCE appeared not to be cooperating.
When contacted, Dr. Ayeh confirmed the meeting but disclosed that Global Ore Industries is not the only entity laying claim to the Aboso concession.

“About six different groups, including Global Ore, are all claiming ownership of the same concession.

I advised the company to return to the Minerals Commission to obtain an official communication addressed to key stakeholders, including the Assembly, traditional authorities and the Member of Parliament to confirm that the transfer has indeed been approved,” he told The Chronicle.

Dr. Ayeh further noted that officials of Global Ore Industries claimed to have purchased the concession, but have been unable to contact the supposed seller, raising further doubts about the legitimacy of the transaction.

The MCE could not confirm whether or not farmers who have their crops on the concession have been compensated as alleged by the Chinese company.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, also expressed suspicion that the company may have fallen victim to a fraudulent deal.

“I suspect the documents purported to authorize the transfer of the concession to Global Ore may be fake,” the MP said in a telephone interview.
“If a genuine transfer had occurred, it would have been properly sanctioned by the Minerals Commission. I believe the company is only trying to use my name as a cover to evict the illegal miners,” he added.

The situation has created confusion in Aboso, with stakeholders calling for clarity from the Minerals Commission to avert potential clashes among the rival claimants.

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