Adamus Resources Denies Involvement of Security Personnel in Fatal Shooting Near Mining Concession

Adamus Resources Limited has firmly denied allegations that one of its security officers shot and killed a suspected illegal miner at its AU Field concession in Salman, in the Nzema East District of the Western Region.

In a statement issued on June 16, the gold mining company described the reports as “false and wholly unsupported by the facts presently available,” and emphasized that its security personnel do not carry firearms while on duty.

“We wish to state without reservation that the allegation seeking to implicate Adamus Resources Limited or its security personnel in the reported shooting incident is false,” the company said. “Adamus Resources Limited maintains a strict security regime within its operational areas and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s security personnel are not equipped with firearms in the discharge of their duties.”

What the Preliminary Reports Indicate

According to preliminary accounts, the fatal incident occurred after individuals suspected of illegal mining — commonly referred to as galamsey — fled upon encountering a patrol team from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). The exact cause of the victim’s death remains unclear, and Adamus has called on the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to launch a thorough investigation.

The company pledged its full cooperation with investigators and expressed readiness to provide any assistance required to uncover the truth. “The Company therefore calls upon the Ghana Police Service and all other relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death,” the statement read.

A Call for Restraint

Adamus also urged journalists and the public to exercise restraint in discussing the incident, warning that speculative narratives could undermine the investigation and unfairly damage reputations. The company extended condolences to the deceased’s family and expressed hope that the probe would clarify the true circumstances of the death.

The incident underscores the persistent tensions between large-scale mining operators and artisanal miners across Ghana’s mineral-rich Western Region. Illegal mining continues to pose significant security and environmental challenges, with authorities recently deploying military personnel to help reclaim forest reserves from illegal miners. Adamus Resources, which operates the Nzema Gold Mine, has long been at the centre of such disputes.

As investigations proceed, the case highlights the need for clearer protocols governing security operations in mining communities — and the dangers of drawing conclusions before the facts are established.

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