Former Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has told the Accra High Court that environmental reclamation activities carried out on mining concessions do not constitute an assignment of mineral rights under Section 14(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Mr. Duker made the remarks while testifying as a defense witness in the ongoing trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako and Akonta Mining over allegations of unlawful mining activities without prior ministerial approval.

Appearing before the court, the former Deputy Minister and former MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem explained that reclamation works undertaken on mining concessions are intended to restore degraded lands and should not be interpreted as a transfer or assignment of mineral rights requiring separate ministerial consent under the law.

The case forms part of ongoing legal proceedings concerning the operations of Akonta Mining and allegations relating to compliance with Ghana’s mining regulations.

Mr. Duker is serving as one of the defense witnesses for the accused persons as the trial continues before the Accra High Court.