Beleaguered mining firm, Exton Cubic Group Limited has sued Lands and Natural resources minister John Peter Amewu over the revocation of their mining license.
Exton Cubic’s license for their Nyinahini bauxite concession was withdrawn by the minister after they had been cleared to mine by some other government agencies including the EPA.
The firm owned by a brother of former President John Mahama has described the withdrawal of their license as political.
In a suit filed at the High court, the company said: “the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources acted ultra vires [beyond] his statutory powers when he revoked Exton Cubic Group Limited mining leases”.
It contends the revocation is a “breach of the rules of natural Justice, and in breach of the company’s rights to administrative justice and property.”
Exton cubic is also asking the court to give “an order of injunction restricting the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources or his agents from interfering with Exton Cubic’s rights acquired.”
Background
Government in September 2017 cancelled the mining lease awarded to Exton Cubic Group limited.
The move followed investigations by the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry over controversy surrounding the deal.
Exton cubic has been in the spot light for some weeks following agitations by the youth of Nynahini over a bauxite concession leased to the company by the previous government.
The Environmental Protection Agency subsequently revoked permits granted to the company.
The ministry of Lands and Natural resources has, however, cancelled the lease agreement pointing to several irregularities in the award of the contract.
John Peter Amewu, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources announcing the revocation of the contract, said the mining company failed to officially accept the offer given them in writing.
“Section 13, subsection 6 indicates an approved application shall lapse if the applicant fails to accept the offer in a form stated in subsection 4.
“There is no record of an acceptance of the offer of the mining lease in writing by the company as mandatorily prescribed by section 13, subsection 4 of the act.”
Source:Ghana/StarrFMonline.com
