The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has upheld the revocation of three mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited following the submission of the final report by the Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with reviewing the company's petition against the initial decision.
The minister's final determination reinforces the April 2026 revocation of the Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited.
The minister responsible for mining revoked the leases, acting on the recommendation of the Minerals Commission.
Mr Buah has also indicated his intention to secure a court order compelling Adamus to fully and promptly fulfil its royalty, tax and other financial liabilities to the government of Ghana.
Visit
Following this decision, Mr Buah yesterday led a delegation of officials of the ministry and the Minerals Commission on a working visit to the mine site to engage key stakeholders, including workers of the mine.
The delegation met with chiefs, community members and mine workers of Adamus Resources Ltd.
Purpose of the engagement was to update them of government's decision and to assure them of continuity of work.
During the visit, the Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, gave the assurance that the Minerals Commission would ensure uninterrupted operations until a further decision by the government had been announced.
He said the Inter-Ministerial Committee would continue to steer operational affairs of the mines, while the Minerals Commission assumed administrative oversight of the mine until further notice.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Tandoh, told the Daily Graphic that the initial revocation followed series of inspections conducted by the Inspectorate Division of the commission, which uncovered sustained and material breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and its subsidiary legislations.
“The Minerals Commission's initial investigations established multiple violations by Adamus Resources Limited, including the unauthorised assignment of mineral rights,” he said.
Mr Tandoh said the investigations found that Adamus Resources subleased portions of its concessions to foreign nationals for independent mining operations without the prior written approval of the minister, contrary to section 14(1) of Act 703.
The company also mined outside demarcated and permitted areas without an approved Operating Permit from the Chief Inspector of Mines, in contravention of Regulations 200(1)(b) and 200(1)(d) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), the commission further stated in a document sighted by the Daily Graphic.
The report also stated that Adamus failed to obtain the requisite environmental and forestry approvals from the Environmental Protection Authority before operations commenced in the assigned areas, contrary to section 18 of Act 703.
“Adamus also failed to cooperate with the Interim Management Committee (IMC) established to oversee the mine.
The review committee found that Adamus deliberately concealed information and provided misleading data,” the CEO of Minerals Commission said.
The Minerals Commission also uncovered additional defaults: $2.56 million in unpaid mineral rights fees, GH¢86.8 million in unpaid royalties, GH¢290.5 million in tax arrears and unexplained variances in gold exports.
“The company transferred $224 million to related parties abroad between 2020 and 2024, and environmental bonds remain only partially fulfilled,” Mr Tandoh stated.
Adamus reacts
Adamus Resources, however, challenged the April 2026 decision to revoke the lease and petitioned the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, leading to the formation of the independent review committee.
The committee further cited that the company refused to cooperate with it and deliberately withheld material information from the members.
The Minister of Lands has also confirmed to the Daily Graphic that since the issue was a matter of state, the Office of the Attorney-General had been duly informed and would advise on next steps.
