Adamus Resources Limited has strongly rejected allegations that it is engaged in illegal mining, insisting it operates fully within Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework while actively combating galamsey activities within its concessions.

In a detailed press release issued on April 29, 2026, the company said attempts by regulatory authorities to portray it as complicit in illegal mining are inaccurate and do not reflect the true situation on the ground.

“Adamus is a duly licensed, indigenous Ghanaian mining company operating under valid leases and permits granted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ghana,” the company stated.

It emphasised that it remains fully compliant with its regulatory obligations under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and cannot reasonably be expected to engage in illegal mining within its own legally acquired concessions.

Fighting illegal mining, not supporting it

According to the company, the real challenge it faces is the persistent and organised invasion of its concessions at Akango, Salman and Nkroful by illegal miners.

“What the Company has faced is a sustained and complex challenge of illegal mining activities within its concessions… These activities have been persistent, organised and, in several instances, have raised serious safety and security concerns,” the statement noted.

Adamus disclosed that it has consistently documented these illegal operations and reported them through official channels, working with state institutions and security agencies to address the situation.

These interventions, it said, have led to arrests and the seizure of excavators and other equipment used in illegal mining, although concerns remain about the ownership of such machinery.

The company also revealed that it has repeatedly rejected requests from individuals seeking access to its concessions for unauthorised small-scale or so-called “community” mining.

“A regulated mining company operating under valid leases, subject to continuous oversight, cannot reasonably be expected to engage in illegal mining within its own concessions,” it stressed.

Due process concerns

Adamus further raised concerns about what it described as a failure to follow due process in actions taken against it.

Citing provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, particularly Sections 5 and 68, the company argued that any decision to suspend or revoke a mining lease must follow clear legal procedures, including transparency, justification and the opportunity to respond.

“Any action affecting a mining lease must follow the due process prescribed by law… A departure from these requirements raises serious questions about regulatory certainty and the rule of law,” the statement said.

Indigenous company under pressure

The company highlighted that it is one of the few large-scale indigenous mining firms in Ghana, and notably led by a woman, describing its position as significant for local participation in the sector.

It warned that how the situation is handled could affect investor confidence and access to capital for Ghanaian-owned mining companies.

“Investor confidence is closely tied to perceptions of regulatory fairness, stability and respect for legal processes,” the company noted.

Commitment to transparency

Adamus reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, stating that it possesses extensive documentary evidence — including photographs, video and audio recordings — of illegal mining activities within its concessions, which it is prepared to make available to relevant authorities.

The company also denied allegations that it facilitated bail for individuals arrested in connection with illegal mining, insisting that official records do not support such claims.

It reiterated its willingness to cooperate with any credible and transparent investigation to establish the facts.

Salma Chief backs Adamus

Meanwhile, the Chief of Salma in the Ellembelle District, Nana Kwamena Bentum, has publicly defended Adamus Resources, insisting the company is being unfairly targeted despite its efforts to fight illegal mining.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM, he dismissed claims that the company is involved in galamsey and described the allegations as misleading.

“Adamus’ concession has gold everywhere, and many people go there to do galamsey. But the company has been stopping them. The CEO has been fighting those alluvial miners who dig holes and leave them exposed,” he said.

He also rejected claims that foreign nationals are operating on the concession.

“It is not true that Chinese people have come here; they are all allegations. The people working there are Ghanaians,” Nana Bentum stated.

The chief further argued that the company has been supporting livelihoods in the community and should not be penalised.

“The woman has not done anything wrong. She has been helping Ghanaians, and her license should not be taken away,” he added.

Call for fairness

Adamus concluded by reiterating that the matter must be handled on the basis of fairness, due process and respect for Ghana’s legal framework.

“The issues at hand must be addressed on the basis of fairness, due process and respect for the legal framework governing the mining sector,” the company stated, adding that this is critical not only for its operations but for the integrity of Ghana’s mining industry as a whole.

Adamus Resources Limited (ARL) has presented what it describes as incontrovertible evidence of its sustained and uncompromising campaign against illegal mining activities on its concessions, leading to multiple arrests and ongoing prosecutions of suspects.

In a statement issued by the company, Adamus Resources rejected claims contained in a letter revoking its mining leases at Akango, Salman and Nkroful, particularly references to alleged Chinese illegal miners.

According to ARL, the Chinese nationals cited in the revocation letter were never linked to Adamus Resources Limited but were instead associated with a separate company licensed by the Minerals Commission (MinCom) to provide mining services.

The company further stated, on record, that it was one Ebenezer Okyere who facilitated bail for the alleged Chinese illegal miners. Adamus Resources emphasised that Mr. Okyere has never had any association with the company.

“With all the emphasis we can muster, Ebenezer Okyere has never been linked to Adamus Resources Limited,” the statement stressed.

Adamus Resources recalled several instances where its security task forces, often at great personal risk, confronted heavily armed illegal miners operating particularly at Akango East.

These confrontations, the company said, underscore its commitment to operating responsibly and strictly within Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.

According to ARL, such actions demonstrate its zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining and its determination to protect both its concessions and the environment.

The company detailed a major security operation carried out on Thursday, 19 February 2026, between 0100hrs and 0300hrs, following intelligence on illegal mining activities at the Old Salman Community Mining Site.

Upon arrival, ARL’s Security Operations Team discovered four excavators—two SANY and two XCMG—parked at the site, with no operators present.

Further inspection revealed that all four excavators had their control boards and monitors disconnected. One XCMG excavator, with Serial Number 1535/8144391.00, was secured and trammed to the ARL Plant Site (Traffic) for safe custody.

Subsequently, on Monday, 23 February 2026, between 1203hrs and 1250hrs, four individuals—Doc Mends Annor, Abdul Rahaman, Nuhu Sheik, and Nazir Abdullah—purportedly representing Namova Ghana Limited, led by Abraham Kwofie, met with ARL management to claim ownership of the confiscated excavator.

During the meeting, Mr. Caleb Mends alleged that their company had been informed by the Ellembelle District Chief Executive (DCE) to undertake a reclamation project at Awulezo–Bamiankor, and was later invited to carry out similar activities elsewhere within the district, including at Old Salman.

ARL management declined to release the excavator, stating that no formal or written communication had been received from the DCE confirming such an arrangement.

The delegation was advised to submit any claims or proposals through official written correspondence for proper assessment. The company has since requested further police investigations into the matter.

In another operation on Thursday, 23 April 2026, between 0710hrs and 0940hrs, a joint Security Operations Team comprising AU Fields and ARL Security, led by the Security Superintendent, conducted a special patrol at Akango South following intelligence on illegal mining activity.

The team encountered five excavators, one bulldozer, and several wooden structures with both Ghanaian and Chinese nationals present.

Four of the five excavators were successfully trammed to the ARL Plant Site (Traffic), and three excavator keys were retrieved. One excavator and the bulldozer, both rendered unserviceable due to missing control boards, were left on site.

Security personnel apprehended six suspects identified as Ibrahim Moro (42), Isaac Donkor (52), Abdalah Ibrahim (17), Almond Tweneboah (40), and Luo Zhiqiang (42), a Chinese national. The illegal structures at the site were subsequently demolished.

All suspects were handed over to the Axim Divisional Police for further investigations, while the retrieved excavator keys remain in ARL’s custody.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects admitted to working at the illegal mining site and claimed they were employed by Namova Ghana Limited, which allegedly introduced them to the location.

They further stated that the seized excavators belong to Namova Ghana Limited.

Adamus Resources Limited reiterated its commitment to lawful mining operations and cooperation with state security agencies to ensure that illegal mining activities are completely eradicated from its concessions.

Source: businesspostonline