Nzema chiefs petition Presidency to uphold revocation of Adamus mining lease

The Chiefs and people of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region have petitioned the Presidency, urging government to maintain the revocation of the mining lease granted to Adamus Resources Limited.

The petition, signed by HRM Awulae Blay IX, King and Overlord of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, accuses Adamus Resources Limited of years of inadequate engagement with traditional authorities and host communities. The chiefs allege that the company failed to respect community dignity, protect the environment, and safeguard livelihoods on their custodial lands.

In a strong cultural statement, the Traditional Council said it performed rites involving a ram and schnapps following the revocation of Adamus’ licence by the Minerals Commission. According to them, the rites formally ended all ties with the company and barred it from operating on their lands, stressing that the decision is spiritual and non-negotiable.

Recent developments in Salman and nearby communities, the petition noted, have further reignited tensions in the area.

The chiefs warned that reinstating the company’s lease without proper consultation would undermine trust in mining regulation and risk fresh conflict in Ellembelle.

The Traditional Area stressed that it is not opposed to mining or development. However, HRM Awulae Blay IX insisted that any future mining activity must be transparent, environmentally responsible, and fair to host communities through proper compensation and local participation.

Copies of the petition have been sent to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Western Regional Minister, the Ellembelle Member of Parliament, the District Chief Executive, and a member of the Council of State. The chiefs say the Presidency’s decision will test government’s commitment to community-centred mining governance.

Extract from Petition

Subject: Petition Against the Reinstatement of the Revoked Mining Licence of Adamus Resources Limited

Your Excellency,

I write respectfully on behalf of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area – Ellembelle Maanle, affected landowners, and host communities within the operational area of Adamus Resources Limited, to petition your high office against any reinstatement of the revoked mining licence previously granted to Adamus Resources Limited.

This petition is informed by longstanding concerns regarding the company’s operations, its relationship with host communities, and the overall impact of its activities on livelihoods and welfare in the affected areas.

Over the years, concerns have been raised about inadequate engagement with traditional authorities and host communities on matters affecting community lands, livelihoods, and related issues. This has resulted in growing mistrust and dissatisfaction among sections of the affected population.

The people of Eastern Nzema Traditional Area – Ellembelle Maanle are not opposed to responsible mining or national development. However, they firmly believe mining must respect the dignity of host communities, protect the environment, safeguard livelihoods, and promote genuine stakeholder engagement. Unfortunately, many affected residents believe these expectations have not been met by Adamus Resources Limited.

Following the revocation of the licence by the Minerals Commission, the leadership of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area – Ellembelle Maanle performed the necessary rites with a ram and schnapps to formally discontinue any relationship with Adamus and to bar it from operating on their custodial lands. The current opposition to any reinstatement reflects widespread community sentiment. Recent developments in Salman and surrounding communities have further heightened tensions and reinforced concerns regarding activities linked to the Adamus concession area.

The chiefs expressed the view that reinstating the revoked licence without adequately addressing the grievances of affected communities and traditional authorities risks reigniting tensions, undermining confidence in regulatory processes, and compromising efforts toward a transparent, peaceful, and sustainable mining framework.

They added that the issues surrounding the Adamus concession have evolved beyond administrative concerns and now directly affect community stability, environmental sustainability, and public confidence in mining within the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area – Ellembelle Maanle.

The petition therefore requests, among others, that the revoked mining licence should not be reinstated unless extensive stakeholder consultations are undertaken; that future operations prioritise transparency, accountability, environmental responsibility, and equitable engagement; and that independent assessments be conducted on environmental and social concerns before any future licensing decisions.

The chiefs submitted the petition in good faith in the interest of peace, fairness, responsible resource governance, and the long-term welfare of the people of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area – Ellembelle Maanle.

They remain hopeful that the Presidency will give due consideration to the concerns of traditional authorities, landowners, and host communities.