Ghanaian court orders firm to return Black Volta gold mine

An international arbitration court ordered Ghanaian mining firm Engineers & Planners to stop occupying the Black Volta gold mine and return the site to its previous owners. The International Chamber of Commerce’s International Court of Arbitration ruled on Oct.

” The High Court of England and Wales ruled on June 8 that E&P “failed to comply” with that order.

Background of the dispute Azumah Resources, backed by U.S. private equity, held prospecting licenses in the Wa-Lawra gold belt since 2006. In 2023, E&P entered an earn-in agreement that would have allowed it to acquire the project for $100 million if it met certain conditions.

Azumah’s investors say E&P did not meet those conditions, forged signatures, and seized the site. E&P denies the allegations and says Azumah offered it the right to buy the mine.

Court rulings and responses E&P secured a $120 million loan from a West African development bank in July 2025, stating the funds were for acquiring the mine. The company has not returned the site. ” He said E&P is seeking to set aside the English court order.

James Wallbank, managing partner of Ibaera Capital, one of Azumah’s investors, said both courts have issued notices directing E&P to stop trespassing and return the assets. A final arbitration hearing is scheduled for September.