Northern Ashanti raises alarm on plot to disconnect CCTV and transfer mine to Chinese nationals

The company, through its lawyers, Vint & Aletheia, claims officers of the Secretariat attempted to gain access to the server room at the mining site to disconnect or switch off its CCTV surveillance system.

According to the lawyers, the alleged attempts followed the broadcast of CCTV footage purportedly showing Chinese nationals at the site, accompanied by officials of NAIMOS and the Minerals Commission, including the Commission’s Ashanti Regional Director.

In a letter addressing the matter, the lawyers said the footage captured conversations which, in their view, pointed to an attempt to transfer the company’s concession to the Chinese nationals.

They described the alleged arrangement as a “criminal and illicit attempt by the Minerals Commission to hand over our Client’s lawfully acquired concession to the said Chinese citizens.”

Vint & Aletheia further alleged that the efforts to interfere with the CCTV infrastructure were intended to prevent the footage from documenting activities at the site and conceal evidence of what the company considers illegal operations.

In a letter dated October 31, 2026, addressed to the Director of Operations of NAIMOS, lawyers for the mining company, Vint and Aletheia wrote, “We act as lawyers for Northern Ashanti Mines Limited Company (our “Client” or “NAMLC”)

As you are aware, on 22nd October 2026, officers of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) invaded the lawfully acquired mines of NAMLC and gave the officers of NAMLC 12 hours to leave the premises. Illegal mining activities have since then been in full swing at our client’s concessions in spite of the presence of the take-over of the sites by NAIMOS,

Immediately after the invasion by NAIMOS, evidence from CCTV footage installed at the site by the company disclosed the presence of Chinese citizens introduced by officials of NAIMOS and the Minerals Commission, including the Ashanti Regional Director. Recorded conversations showed a criminal and illicit attempt by the Minerals Commission to hand over our Client’s lawfully acquired concession to the said Chinese citizens. This evidence has since been shown on national television.

Our instructions are that since the airing of evidence of the criminal endeavour to hand over our Client’s mining concessions to Chinese nationals, officers of NAIMOS have attempted to access the server room at our Client’s Konongo site for the purpose of disconnecting or switching off the CCTV cameras installed at the facility. The purpose is obvious: to conceal evidence of illegal activities to be perpetrated by NAIMOS, its officers, agents, servants and assigns:

Please be advised that neither NAIMOS nor any agency of the State has the right to interfere with CCTV cameras installed by our Client at its mining concessions. We would not hesitate to take any legal action necessary against the State, officers of NAIMOS and any other person who engages in such deplorable conduct.

As you are further aware, our Client has commenced proceedings challenging the purported revocation of its mining leases and prospecting licences and unlawful takeover of its concessions. In addition, an Application for Interlocutory Injunction filed against the relevant authorities, including the Minerals Commission and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and intended to protect the relevant interests of our Client, is currently pending before the court.

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Articles 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution require administrative bodies and public officials to act fairly, reasonably and in accordance with due process. Any further action taken in respect of our client’s operations and property must be consistent with these constitutional requirements.

We are particularly concerned that switching off the CCTV cameras or interfering with the server infrastructure could compromise the preservation of relevant electronic records and evidence which may become necessary in the proceedings,

Accordingly, we hereby entreat you, NAIMOS, and its officers to refrain from accessing the server room, disconnecting the CCTy cameras, or interfering in any way with the server infrastructure at the Konongo site pending the determination of the application before the court