- Minerals Commission denies granting mining concessions without consultation.
- Allegations are "false, baseless, and unfounded".
- Mineral rights require consultation with relevant parties.
- Commission follows legal procedures in granting mineral rights.
The Minerals Commission has denied allegations made by MP Yusif Sulemana against Lands Minister Samuel A. Jinapor. The allegations claimed that Jinapor granted mining concessions to foreign entities without proper consultation.
The Commission described these allegations as unfounded and false. According to the Mining Act, 2006, and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012, no mineral rights can be granted without consulting relevant persons and institutions.
The Commission publishes a notice in the Gazette and serves copies to landowners, chiefs, MMDAs, and other stakeholders when receiving an application for a mineral right. This allows them to raise concerns and enables the Commission to consider their interests.
The Commission urged the public to disregard the false narrative being propagated by the MP. Yusif Sulemana had accused Jinapor and the Minerals Commission of bypassing proper consultation processes, leading to tensions in the Bole-Bamboi Constituency.
He alleged that some NPP executives were assaulted by soldiers guarding the mining sites. The Minerals Commission reiterated its commitment to following legal and regulatory procedures in granting mineral rights.
All relevant parties are consulted and given the opportunity to voice their concerns, ensuring transparency and accountability. The Commission’s statement emphasized its dedication to upholding the law and ensuring responsible mineral resource management.
