By P. K. Yankey, GNA
Kikam(W/R), April 27, GNA – A Coalition of Assembly Members in the Ellembelle District has declared full support for the Assembly Member for Salman electoral area and the community in a dispute over Chinese involvement in alluvial mining
The move followed what the coalition described as a “misleading statement” by Mr Barnabas Ewereko, Assembly Member for Asasetre regarding the arrest of Chinese nationals engaged in alluvial mining at Salman who were arrested by the Esiama Divisional Police Command on the instructions of Mr Joseph Armah Agyekum, the District Chief Executive ( DCE) for Ellembelle.
Management of ADAMUS Resources Limited confirmed to the Police that the Company had leased part of its concession to AU a Chinese-owned company to undertake small-scale alluvial mining activities within the Salman lands.
The development sparked concerns among Salman youth, who have long sought access to land for responsible cooperative mining but say their requests have been denied. Led by the Salam Assembly member, the youth held a press conference demanding answers from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and ADAMUS Resources Limited
In a statement the coalition, led by Mr Paul Kodwo Kwaw, Assembly Member for Kikam and Asemko electoral areas, questioned the legality of ADAMUS ceding part of its concession to a foreign company for small scale mining.
The statement also asked whether the arrangement complied with the Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703) and whether China’s own mining laws would permit such a deal.
Tensions escalated when the Salman youth, feeling sidelined, staged a demonstration to protest what they called exclusion and injustice, the Ellembelle District Security Council (DISEC) stepped in to mediate between the company and the community to restore calm.
The Coalition is also demanding clarity on whether the Lands and Natural Resources Minister and Minerals Commission were informed of the sub-lease and whether arrangement received the required regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has revoked of ADAMUS Mining leases covering the Akango, Salman and Nkroful concessions, over illegal mining activities.
A press statement issued by the Ministry stated categorically that investigations conducted by the Minerals Commission supported by both documentary and photographic evidence, revealed several serious breaches of the mining laws by ADAMUS Resources Limited.
Among the findings, ADAMUS Resources Limited was found to have unlawfully sub-contracted mining operations on their concessions without obtaining the necessary Ministerial consent as required under section 14 of the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703).
The investigations also cited ADAMUS with illegal mining without permit as by mining activities were carried out without the approved mining operating permit plans or valid operating permits from the Chief inspector of Mines as mandated by regulation 8(1) of the Minerals and Mining ( Health, Safety and Technical Regulations 2012 (LI 2182).
The Company also failed to obtain regulatory approvals from mandated bodies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in violation of section 18 of Act 703.
The investigations further cited ADAMUS for engaging Chinese nationals in illegal mining activities popularly called galamsey on the affected concession.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Kenneth Odeng Adade