Cassius Mining intensifies legal battle against Ghana with $277m claim

Cassius Mining Limited, an Australian gold mining company, has escalated its dispute with the Ghanaian government by filing a $277 million claim at the London Court of International Arbitration.

The case centers on alleged contract breaches and constitutional conflicts tied to Cassius Mining’s gold exploration project in Talensi, Upper East Region.

The dispute began in 2019 when the government declined to renew the company’s prospecting license, citing constitutional non-compliance.

Authorities argued that the license lacked proper ratification under Ghanaian law, rendering it invalid.

Cassius Mining has refuted these claims, asserting that the government’s actions denied them the full value and potential earnings from the project.

The $277 million compensation figure is based on independent assessments by AMC Consultants (Australia) and Secretariat (USA).

The legal tussle has been protracted. In 2023, Ghana’s High Court barred Cassius from pursuing international arbitration, ruling that disputes under the prospecting license must be resolved within Ghana.

Undeterred, Cassius Mining moved forward with its case in London, insisting on its right to international arbitration.

Managing Director David Chidlow expressed confidence in their legal approach, stating, “We look forward to progressing the case and achieving a favorable outcome, whether through a hearing or settlement.”

The Ghanaian government is expected to submit its defense, setting the stage for a significant legal confrontation.