Narawa Alleges Theft Of GH¢100m In Gold-Bearing Materials

NARAWA Company Limited, a Ghana-based gold mining company operating in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region, has alleged that gold-bearing materials and concentrates valued at approximately GH¢100 million have been taken from its mining concession, following an alleged unlawful takeover.

The company further claims that mining plants and other infrastructure worth over US$2 million have been destroyed, resulting in substantial financial losses and disruption to its operations.

It has consequently called on the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Minerals Commission and other relevant state institutions to investigate the alleged occupation, identify those responsible and restore its access to the concession.

Addressing a news conference in Accra, the Head of Corporate Affairs of NARAWA Company Limited, Mrs. Doris Addo, said the concession had been under unlawful occupation since August 12.

A section of NARAWA Company Limited officials seated during a news conference in Accra. According to the company, the occupation has resulted in extensive damage to its assets and violent confrontations that have reportedly claimed lives and left several people injured.

She maintained that the continued presence of unauthorised persons had prevented its management from accessing the concession to assess the full extent of the damage.

Assets allegedly taken

Mrs. Addo claimed that gold-bearing materials and concentrates valued at approximately GH¢100 million had been removed from its concession, while mining plants and other infrastructure worth more than US$2 million had been destroyed.

According to the head of corporate affairs at NARAWA, the continued occupation has also prevented it from undertaking its environmental management and mitigation responsibilities.

It disclosed that the Chief Inspector of Mines and the Environmental Protection Agency were being notified of the alleged destruction and the circumstances preventing the company from accessing its operational areas.

She further alleged that some individuals, including persons believed to be foreign nationals, were undertaking illegal mining activities on the concession.

The company called for investigations into these activities and the determination of any resulting statutory, civil and environmental liabilities.

Security intervention

Mrs. Doris Addo called on the security agencies to investigate the identities of individuals allegedly occupying the concession and establish whether any persons or corporate entities had unlawfully facilitated their activities.

The company also requested clarification from the military command regarding the mandate of personnel reportedly seen at the mining sites.

It maintained that it had never authorised any third party to undertake mining activities on its concession.

“We have never given express or implied consent for third parties to operate on our concessions,” the Mrs. Doris Addo stressed.

She urged the authorities to conduct independent investigations and ensure that anyone found culpable is dealt with in accordance with the law.

Court orders

The company maintained that it holds valid mining and possession rights, which it said were protected by existing High Court orders sealed on February 19, 2020.

She argued that the alleged takeover, removal of assets and continued occupation of the concession were inconsistent with those orders.

NARAWA disclosed that its legal team had brought the alleged breaches to the attention of the High Court and instituted proceedings concerning the activities of individuals and corporate entities allegedly involved.

The company indicated that it would pursue legal remedies for the alleged loss of assets, interruption of business activities and interference with its mining operations.

“Our objective is accountability through the law,” the company stated.

Fatal violence

Touching on reported violence at the concession, Mrs. Addo expressed condolences to families who had lost relatives and sympathy for persons injured during the disturbances.

The company referred specifically to a security-related incident on October 5, which reportedly resulted in fatalities and injuries, including an injury to a police officer.

She explained that its management had been conducting background checks and recruitment interviews to strengthen its authorised civilian security teams.

NARAWA, however, acknowledged that preliminary assessments by law enforcement authorities concerning personnel at the site differed from its own records.

It said it was cooperating with police investigations and welcomed the reported arrest of three suspects.

The company appealed to the government and relevant security agencies to issue immediate written directives for the removal of all unauthorised persons from the concession.

She maintained that restoring lawful access to the mining site was necessary to protect lives, preserve assets, prevent further environmental damage and enable the company to resume its operations.

It pledged to cooperate with state institutions to ensure that the dispute was resolved through lawful processes.

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