The Minority in Parliament has criticised the Minerals Commission over what it describes as serious lapses in six mining lease agreements approved by the House on Thursday.

Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, argued that the agreements—including the lease involving Damang Gold Limited, now under the management of Engineers and Planners—contained several irregularities that warranted thorough scrutiny instead of expedited approval.

According to the Mampong MP, the documents were fraught with omissions and inconsistencies, including unsigned sections, the absence of the state’s mandatory 10 per cent free carried interest, missing work programmes, and other procedural deficiencies.

He further alleged that nearly all the companies covered by the agreements had already commenced mining operations before their leases were presented to Parliament for ratification.

The Ranking Member also disclosed that he has written to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources requesting additional documentation and clarification on the six mining lease agreements endorsed by Parliament.

Mr. Ampratwum-Sarpong stressed that while the Minority supports responsible mining, indigenous participation and investment in the sector, it would not endorse any process that undermines constitutional and regulatory requirements.

He maintained that the approved agreements remain incomplete and deficient, insisting that key concerns were overlooked during the approval process. He also cautioned mining firms to adhere strictly to the country’s legal and operational standards.