Residents and community leaders from Akango, Salman, and Nkroful in the Western Region have applauded the government’s decision to revoke the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited.
For several weeks, these communities had been protesting against what they described as the company’s illegal operations, including a demonstration to voice their discontent. Their concerns centered on allegations that Adamus Resources had ceded parts of its concession to Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources acted on these concerns just weeks after they were raised. A subsequent investigation by the Minerals Commission confirmed the allegations, leading directly to the revocation of the company’s mining licence.
In a statement, the Ministry noted: “Foreign nationals (Chinese) were unlawfully engaged in mining activities (‘galamsey’) on the affected concessions in contravention of Section 99(5)(a) and (b) of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).”
The communities had also accused Adamus Resources of operating beyond its designated concessions. The Minerals Commission’s investigation backed this claim, stating: “Mining operations observed were substandard and were conducted outside designated mining areas and far from approved mine infrastructure.”
Community Reaction
The three communities have welcomed the licence revocation, saying it will help strengthen efforts to combat illegal mining, which continues to threaten local livelihoods and the environment.
Yacoub Abdul Aziz, the Assembly Member for the Salman Electoral Area, has called on the government to consider the economic needs of young people in any future arrangements regarding the concession.
“We think the local people should be prioritised in everything that is done here. A lot of the young people are struggling to survive, and we have such a resource here,” he emphasized.
The communities also expressed the view that the development of local infrastructure should be given strong consideration in any future leasing agreements for the concession.
