By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has revoked the mining lease of Adamus Resources Limited over illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, a statement from the ministry confirmed on Sunday.
The statement from the ministry’s Communications Directorate says that the mining lease was revoked after the Minerals Commission looked into the company’s activities and found that it broke the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and related rules.
“The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has directed the revocation of the Akango, Salman, and Nkroful mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited following confirmed violations of Ghana’s minerals and mining laws,” read the statement.
“This directive is premised on an investigation report submitted by the Minerals Commission, which established unauthorized and illegal mining activities in the above-named concessions in breach of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and related regulations,” it added.
The Lands Ministry highlighted the key findings of the investigation report as revealing that Adamus Resources Limited sub-contracted mining operations on their concessions without obtaining the mandatory ministerial consent and undertook mining activities without approved mining operating plans, as well as the company failing to obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory agencies.
The rest are some Chinese nationals who were unlawfully engaged in illegal mining on the concession, engaging in substandard mining operations, as well as causing significant environmental degradation.
“In view of the gravity and deliberate nature of these breaches, the Minister, upon the advice and recommendation of the Minerals Commission given pursuant to section 100 (2) of Act 703, has determined that immediate revocation of the mineral rights is warranted in the public interest, especially in cases where mineral rights are being used to facilitate illegal mining activities or where statutory requirements have been fundamentally violated,” it further stated.
The Lands Ministry assured it will take steps to safeguard the lawful jobs and livelihoods of workers affected by the decision and will announce appropriate measures in the coming days.
It also assured the government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
Find the statement from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources below;
