Adamus Resources Limited has rejected the government’s decision to uphold the revocation of its mining leases, describing the action as unlawful and accusing the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, of disregarding procedures prescribed by law.
In a statement, the mining 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 of its leases.
“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 promised to provide further details on its intended legal action.
“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 upholds revocation
The company’s response follows the government’s decision to uphold the revocation of its mining lease and direct the Minerals Commission to take administrative control of the Adamus Mine at Salman in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
The decision was announced by Mr Buah during a working visit to the mine after a Ministerial Review Committee submitted its report on appeals filed by Adamus Resources.
The Minister said the committee had reviewed 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 revocation follows an earlier decision by the government to terminate Adamus Resources’ mining lease over alleged breaches of the terms and conditions governing its operations.
Mr Buah said the review process was instituted to ensure that the company’s concerns and appeals were properly considered before a final decision was reached.
The latest development sets the stage for a potential legal challenge by Adamus Resources as the company contests the government’s decision and maintains that the revocation was not carried out in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
