The Minerals Commission has strongly denied allegations made by Yusif Sulemana, the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, against the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor.

0

Mr Sulemana had accused the Minister of granting mining concessions to foreign entities without proper consultation, sparking controversy and tension in the Bole-Bamboi constituency.

1

In a press release dated Monday, June 24, the Minerals Commission described the allegations as "baseless and unfounded," asserting that they lack credibility and should not come from a lawmaker.

2

The Commission emphasized that all procedures are in strict adherence to the Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), which mandate thorough consultation with all relevant parties before granting any mineral rights.

3

According to the Commission, the process begins with the publication of a notice in the Gazette upon receiving an application for a mineral right.

4

Copies of this notice are then distributed to the relevant landowners, Chiefs, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and other stakeholders, giving them the opportunity to raise any concerns.

5

Yusif Sulemana had claimed that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources allocated lands to over seven large-scale miners in the Bole-Bamboi constituency without proper stakeholder consultations.

6

https://tigpost.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-68.pngYusif

Sulemana, the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi

7

He alleged that this oversight had led to clashes, with some New Patriotic Party (NPP) executives reportedly assaulted by soldiers guarding the mining sites.

8

Mr Sulemana highlighted the extensive mineral activities in the constituency, including both formal and informal (galamsey) operations, and pointed to the heavy equipment brought in by large-scale miners as a source of tension.

9

“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,” he stated.

10

“Unfortunately, from February to date, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has allocated the lands to over seven large-scale miners and the problem was that there were 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."

11

The Minerals Commission, however, refuted these claims, reiterating its commitment to legal and regulatory procedures.

12

"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 stated.

13

The Commission's statement continued: "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."

14

The Commission urged the public to disregard the false narrative propagated by the MP and reaffirmed its dedication to transparency and stakeholder engagement in all mining-related activities.

15

RE-BOLE-MP-ACCUSES-LANDS-MINISTERDownload

16