Nguvu Mining Appeals to Asantehene over Chiefs’ Sale of Its Concession to Illegal Miners

The Management of mining conglomerate Nguvu Mining Limited has sought the intervention of the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to halt the illegal sale of parts of their Konongo Gold Mine concession.

The mine known as Northern Ashanti Mines, a subsidiary of the parent company, has been invaded by illegal miners.

The founder and CEO of the company, Angela List, together with the delegation made up of Directors and shareholders, made a visit to the Manhyia Palace on Friday, February 28, 2025, to plead for the intervention of the King.

Speaking about the mine which she described as one of the oldest in the country, she recounted how it folded up due to “issues with the whole body” for over 13 years.

According to her, it was resuscitated after Nguvu partnered to commence exploration in 2020.

“God being so good we’ve been able to not only pull back more resources but define a new plan to commence mining again,” she said noting that the construction of a mining plant was underway which it estimates to provide employment to well over 1000 residents of Konongo.

“Unfortunately, we are a bit behind on construction. We had tried to commence the construction of a plant, and we believe that once it is completed, we will provide employment to over a thousand people in the community.”

Illegal Mining
She identified illegal mining activities as one of the major concerns threatening the company even as it begins mining.

“Our main problem is illegal mining. It’s quite devastating what is going on there. It’s a bit of a concern to us because if we are not careful, by the time we are there, we won’t have gold to feed the mine.”

Otumfuo was told how the chiefs on whose lands the mine resides have rampantly been selling the legally acquired concession to illegal miners.

Intervention
List therefore pleaded for Otumfuo’s intervention to stop the chiefs and secure the mine.

“We want to plead with you to engage the chiefs and the political authority to assist us to reach the area of illegal activity. We had a meeting {on Thursday} with the Regional Minister and we believe he is willing to assist us but with your encouragement, I’m sure we would go a long way to eliminate it.”

Engagement
The Asantehene readily accepted the plea to intervene as he stressed on the benefits the mine stands to provide to the communities when completed.

“The mine had been dormant for years. I went there to inspect it some time ago. Now that there are people in to resuscitate it for me, everything will be done to help them. I heard her say the mine will provide employment to 1000 people in the town and that’s commendable.”

Condemning the illegal sale of parts of the concession to illegal miners while a lease has been granted to the company, Otumfuo noted an immediate engagement will be held with the Nana Otuo Sereboe II, Juabenhene, the Regional Minister and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini