Licensed Mining Firm Petitions Minerals Commission Over Illegal Miners’ Invasion On Concession

A small-scale mining company, Kofreze Construction & Engineering Limited, has petitioned the Minerals Commission (MC) to urgently intervene in what it describes as an unlawful invasion of its licensed mining concession by illegal miners at Wasa Dadieso in the Wasa Amenfi East Municipality of the Western Region.

In a petition dated April 24, 2026 and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, in Accra, the company said unidentified illegal miners had forcibly taken over its concession and commenced unauthorized mining activities, resulting in environmental degradation and destruction of property.

The company, which identified itself as a duly licensed operator under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), said the situation was threatening lawful mining operations and creating security concerns within the host community.

“KOFREZE CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING LIMITED remains dedicated to operating within the law, supporting responsible mining practices, and cooperating with the Minerals Commission and all stakeholders,” the petition stated.

According to the company, its internal security team first detected the alleged invasion about three weeks ago, prompting management to conduct an assessment that confirmed ongoing illegal mining activities on the concession.

The company further claimed that the continued occupation of the site by illegal miners posed serious risks to public safety and peaceful coexistence in the area.

Management warned that the situation could escalate into conflict if urgent enforcement action was not taken by state authorities.

The company which is also a member of the National Association of Hard Rock and Underground Miners (NAHRUM) said it remained committed to complying with environmental, safety and community protection obligations under Ghana’s mining regulations.

In the petition, Kofreze Construction & Engineering requested five urgent actions from the Minerals Commission and allied security agencies.

These include immediate verification of the company’s concession and license documentation, coordinated security operations to evict the illegal miners, prevention of further illegal activities on the site, investigations into breaches of mining laws and measures to prevent additional environmental damage.

The company stressed that the activities of illegal miners were undermining lawful investment and weakening compliance efforts by legitimate operators within the sector.

It further appealed to the Minerals Commission to provide a written response outlining timelines for enforcement and intervention measures.

Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, the Director of Small-Scale Mining, the Tarkwa District Office and officials of the National Association of Hard Rock and Underground Miners.

The issue of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to pose a major challenge to Ghana’s mining sector, with repeated concerns over environmental destruction, loss of state revenue and insecurity in mining communities.

 

 

 

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