Some Chinese nationals believed to be investors have reportedly moved into the Adamus Resources Limited mining concession at Salman in the Ellembelle District, barely 24 hours after the government announced its decision to uphold the revocation of the company’s mining lease.
Citi News understands that the individuals, who signed in as officials of the World Gold Council, arrived at the mining site following the announcement by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, that the Minerals Commission would assume administrative control of the mine.
The circumstances surrounding their presence at the site, including whether they have any official authorisation to operate or access the concession, remain unclear.
The development comes amid a dispute between Adamus Resources and the government over the revocation of the company’s mining leases.
Adamus has rejected the government’s decision, describing it as unlawful and accusing the Lands Minister of disregarding procedures prescribed by the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
In a statement, the company said it received the decision with “shock and disappointment” and categorically denied the allegations cited as the basis for the revocation.
Adamus described the allegations as “unfounded, contrived and deliberately manufactured,” alleging that they were intended to “strongarm” the company and deprive it of its mineral rights.
“The effort by the Minister to strip Adamus Resources Limited of its mineral rights was without regard to any of the statutory procedures laid down in the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703),” the company said.
The company further accused the Minister of abusing his powers and disregarding the law in the process leading to the revocation.
“The company has duly noted the abuse of power wrapped in the absolute disregard of law in the process leading to the contemptible revocation of its leases,” it said.
Adamus said it was taking steps to challenge the decision and would announce details of its intended legal action in due course.
“The good people of Ghana will be apprised of the cogent steps the company is taking to shred this baseless revocation in the coming days,” the statement added.
Government takes administrative control
The government’s decision followed a review of appeals filed by Adamus Resources after the initial revocation of its mining lease over alleged breaches of the terms and conditions governing its operations.
The Minister announced the final decision during a working visit to the Adamus Mine after receiving the report of a Ministerial Review Committee.
Mr Buah said the committee had considered the concerns raised by the company and affirmed most of the breaches identified in an earlier assessment of its operations.
He subsequently upheld the revocation and directed the Minerals Commission to assume immediate administrative control of the mine.
“Following the report of the Minerals Commission to the Chief Inspector of Mines, and with recommendations of the great violation of the Mining Act and mining regulations. A recommendation for revocation of some mining leases was made.
“The Ministry agreed with them; there was a petition, and we formed the ministerial review committee. That work has come to an end. As a Minister, I have concluded to uphold the revocation. What that means is that the Minerals Commission should, with immediate effect, take administrative control of this Mine,” he said.
The presence of the alleged Chinese investors at the site so soon after the government’s announcement is likely to raise questions about the future of the concession, particularly as Adamus has indicated that it intends to challenge the revocation.