National Security petition filed over alleged irregular takeover of Bondae Mine Site

Longshine Mining Ghana Limited has petitioned Ghana’s National Security Secretariat over what it describes as an unlawful takeover of its Bondae Mine Site in the Western Region.

The five-page petition, dated June 22, 2026, outlines a sequence of events the company claims began on May 7, 2026, when armed personnel allegedly took control of its mining site at Bondae under circumstances it considers unlawful.

According to the petition, the initial incident involved what Longshine alleges as a coordinated police-led takeover of the mine.

The company alleges that following this intervention, significant quantities of gold, silver, cash, and mining equipment went missing or were unlawfully removed from the site.

It further claims that the disruption created an environment in which its operations were effectively halted, resulting in financial losses and operational paralysis.

The petition also argues that the handling of the situation may have deviated from standard enforcement procedures under Ghanaian mining regulations.

Longshine Mining Ghana Limited further alleges that several of its employees were unlawfully detained during the incident.

It also claims that personal belongings, including passports and other identification documents, were retained and have not been returned.

The company contends that these actions have had lasting impacts on affected staff, including restrictions on movement and an inability to resume normal work activities. It is calling for the immediate return of all personal and company property allegedly seized during the operation.

A central point in the petition is the company’s assertion that reports of theft and misconduct were formally lodged with the Ghana Police Service but have not been adequately investigated.

Longshine alleges that despite repeated complaints, there has been limited progress in identifying those responsible for the missing assets.

The petition raises concerns about what it describes as institutional inaction, arguing that the absence of a thorough investigation has deepened tensions at the site.

The Ghana Police Service has not yet publicly responded to the specific allegations contained in the petition as of the time of filing this report.

Another significant allegation in the document concerns the introduction of a third-party investor into the mine’s operations. Longshine claims this was done without the required ministerial approval, potentially violating Ghana’s mining regulatory framework.

The company argues that any such arrangement, if confirmed, would be inconsistent with procedures outlined under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which governs licensing, operational control, and foreign or third-party participation in mining concessions.

In its petition, Longshine Mining Ghana Limited is requesting a series of interventions from the National Security Secretariat. These include securing the Bondae Mine Site, investigating the alleged theft of minerals and equipment, ensuring the return of detained employees’ property, and reviewing the circumstances under which control of the site changed hands.

The company is also urging coordination between National Security, regulatory authorities, and law enforcement to restore what it describes as lawful operations at the mine.