The government of Ghana has terminated mining leases of FGR Bogoso Prestea Mining Limited.
This termination follows recommendations from the Minerals Commission and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
In August 2023, FGR was cautioned by about the Minerals Commission about some breaches pertaining to its mining operations and advised them to have them remedied.
The statement indicated that the “decision to terminate the mining leases was taken after reviewing various reports from the Minerals Commission as well as a Ministerial Committee constituted to review the operations of the Company, and after extensive engagement with all stakeholders involved in this matter.”
This decision was arrived after various stakeholders, including the Ghana Mine Workers Union raised a number of concerns and embarked on a series of protests.
Some 400 members of the mine workers union picketed at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, calling for the termination of FGR Bogoso Prestea’s mining leases.
The union, among other things, cited poor working conditions and the company’s failure to address critical operational issues including meeting its debt obligations.
Minister Jinapor added that the government “continues to assure the general public of its unflinching commitment to the efficient, effective and sustainable exploitation and management of the natural resources of our country, in the spirit of transparency, anchored on integrity and utmost good faith, for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.”
