bilaterals.org | Update on status of notice of termination of mining leases

Blue Gold, 25 June 2025

Update on status of Notice of Termination of Mining Leases

On September 20, 2024, FGRBPL, the previous leaseholders, received a notice of termination of mining leases (the “Commission Notice”) from the Minerals Commission of Ghana (the “Mineral Commission”) alleging violations of the related leases. After the Commission Notice, the Mineral Commission formed an Interim Management Committee (“IMC”), and the IMC assumed managerial control of the mine site. BGHL and the Previous Leaseholder, pursuant to the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703) (the “Mining Act”), actively dispute the contents and legality of the Commission Notice and the appointment of an IMC. On October 14, 2024, BGHL delivered notice to the Republic of Ghana requesting settlement of BGHL’s dispute pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ghana for the Promotion and Protection of Investments, signed in Accra on March 22, 1989 and entered into force on October 25, 1991 (“UK-Ghana BIT”). Pending the resolution of BGHL’s dispute, BGHL has been advised by Kimathi Partners, its legal counsel in Ghana, that pursuant to Section 27(5) of the Mining Act, the leases remain valid and in full effect.

On April 2, 2025, BGHL served a notice of arbitration on the Republic of Ghana to commence international arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Ghana pursuant to Article 10 of the UK-Ghana BIT. On June 6, 2025, the Republic of Ghana submitted its response to the notice of arbitration in which it contests jurisdiction and disputes the validity and merits of BGHL’s claims and has agreed to have a three-person tribunal hear the dispute and for it to be administered by an arbitral institution (the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague). Pending the resolution of the dispute, BGHL has been advised by Kimathi Partners, its legal counsel in Ghana, that pursuant to Section 27(5) of the Mining Act, the leases remain valid and in full effect.

In the event the arbitration outcome or any of these actions is favourable to the existing mining leases, successful mine development, infrastructure construction, and mineral production is dependent on obtaining all necessary consents, approvals and licenses for a successful design, construction and operation of efficient mining, processing and transportation facilities. No assurance can be given that we will be able to resolve this matter or obtain all necessary consents, approvals, and licenses in a timely manner, or at all. If the outcome of the arbitration is unfavourable, it will adversely affect the value of BGHL’s business. Delays or difficulties in obtaining a favourable arbitration outcome or in obtaining relevant approvals, may interfere with future mining operations or plans of BGHL, which will materially impact our business and financial position in the future.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the lease dispute with the Government of Ghana, and the possibility that the mining leases may not be returned to BGBPL, there is a material uncertainty that BGHL will not be able to undertake its business plan to restart the Bogoso Prestea mine. If the Company is not successful with its arbitration proceedings with the Republic of Ghana, the leases may be relinquished which will reduce the mineral rights value reflected in BGHL’s balance sheet to zero.