Northern Ashanti Mines seeks injunction against state seizure of Konongo mine

Northern Ashanti Mines Limited has filed an interlocutory injunction at the High Court to stop the Ghanaian government from seizing its $110 million gold mine in Konongo, Ashanti Region. The legal action, directed at the Minerals Commission, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Attorney General, seeks to prevent the state from taking possession of the concession or transferring mineral rights to third parties.

The dispute centers on the termination of the company's mining lease on April 30, 2026. Northern Ashanti Mines argues that the termination was conducted without the requisite prior notice or the opportunity to rectify any alleged breaches, as stipulated by national mining laws. In addition to the injunction, the company has applied for a judicial review to challenge the legality of the termination decision itself.

Tensions escalated recently following a military-backed operation by the Minerals Commission to enforce the lease termination. The company alleges that security personnel have interfered with its daily operations, creating an environment of uncertainty for its substantial investment. Company representatives have expressed concerns that the state intends to reassign the lucrative concession to Chinese investors, further complicating the legal and economic stakes.

The High Court is scheduled to hear the motion for the interlocutory injunction on October 29, 2026. Until then, the mine's future remains in the hands of the judiciary. The case is expected to serve as a significant test of the state’s power to revoke mining licenses and the procedural protections afforded to private investors within Ghana's extractives sector.