The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has upheld the revocation of the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited following the submission of the final report of an Inter-Ministerial Committee that reviewed the company’s petition against the initial decision.
The decision brings to an end the review process initiated after the Minister, acting on the recommendation of the Minerals Commission, revoked Adamus Resources Limited’s Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases in April 2026.
The initial revocation followed a series of inspections by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, which uncovered what the Commission described as sustained and material breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and its subsidiary legislation.
According to the findings, Adamus allegedly engaged in the unauthorised assignment of mineral rights by subleasing portions of its concessions to foreign nationals for independent mining operations without prior written approval from the Minister, contrary to Section 14(1) of Act 703.
The company was also found to have undertaken mining activities 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 investigations further established that the company had failed to secure the requisite environmental and forestry approvals from the Environmental Protection Authority before commencing operations in the assigned areas, contrary to Section 18 of Act 703.
The review committee also found that Adamus failed to cooperate fully with the Interim Management Committee (IMC) established to oversee the mine. It said the company concealed information and provided misleading data during the process.
The committee identified several outstanding financial obligations, including US$2.56 million in unpaid mineral rights fees, GHS 86.8 million in unpaid royalties and GHS 290.5 million in tax arrears.
It also raised concerns over unexplained variances in the company’s gold exports and reported that US$224 million was transferred to related parties abroad between 2020 and 2024.
Additionally, the committee noted that the company’s environmental bonds remained only partially fulfilled.
Following the Minister’s decision, Mr. Buah and officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission visited the mine site to engage key stakeholders, including workers.
During the visit, the Minister assured workers and other stakeholders that the Minerals Commission would ensure that operations at the mine continued without interruption until the government announced its next decision regarding the future of the mine.
Mr. Buah also indicated that he would seek an order requiring Adamus Resources to fully and promptly settle its outstanding royalty, tax and other financial obligations to the Government of Ghana.
