An Australian firm, Cassius Mining Limited, has increased its arbitration claim against Ghana from US$275 million to US$905 million, with final hearings scheduled for June 15–19, 2026.
The dispute dates back to December 28, 2016, when the outgoing administration of President John Dramani Mahama granted the company a two-year prospecting lease for gold in Talensi in the Upper East Region.
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The lease expired in 2019, and the subsequent government of President Nana Akufo-Addo declined renewal, citing lack of parliamentary approval.
On February 3, 2023, Cassius Mining initiated arbitration at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, seeking compensation.
Ghana, led by then Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, successfully challenged the tribunal’s jurisdiction and later secured a High Court injunction on July 31, 2023, barring the firm from pursuing arbitration outside Ghana.
On February 27, 2024, Ghana secured a ruling that any arbitration must take place within the country and not in London.
During the proceedings, Cassius Mining was represented by Dominic Ayine, who had previously served as Deputy Attorney General at the time the lease was granted.
Following the 2024 elections, the company renewed its legal action on December 24, 2024.
Dr. Ayine was appointed Attorney General in 2025 and, during his vetting, faced questions from John Darko over potential conflict of interest, which he denied, stating he would act in the state’s best interest.
As of March 31, 2026, the claim has escalated to US$905 million, with Dr. Ayine now leading Ghana’s legal defence in the case.
