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Mining firm, Exton Cubic Group Limited has sued the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John Peter Amewu, over the revocation of its mining permits.

Mr Amewu in September revoked the company’s leases and licences to prospect in the Nyinahini bauxite concession of the Tano Offin Forest Reserve, describing the company’s operations there as illegal because of invalid mining leases.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had earlier indicated that Exton Cubic reneged on commitments to submit a liability estimate of environmental degradation, among others.

But in an application for a review of the Minister’s decision at the High Court, Exton Cubic argued that the Minister’s decision was unreasonable, unjust, and an abuse of his powers.

The company, among others, is seeking a declaration that “the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources acted ultra vires [beyond] his statutory powers when he revoked Exton Cubic Group Limited mining leases.”

It also contends that, revoking of its license was “breach of the rules of natural Justice”, and in breach of the company’s “rights to administrative justice and property.”

Exton Cubic is further seeking an order quashing the minister’s decision to revoke the mining leases, and “an order of injunction restricting the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources or his agents from interfering with Exton Cubic’s rights acquired.”

Aside from this, the company also wants to protect its rights to the concession, and is thus seeking an order of injunction preventing the Ministry “from granting the rights acquired by Exton Cubic Group to any other person.”