The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has confirmed the revocation of the mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited, bringing to an end the review process initiated after the company challenged the government’s original decision.
The Minister’s final determination follows the submission of a comprehensive report by the Inter Ministerial Committee established to examine Adamus Resources Limited’s petition against the revocation of its Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases.
The leases were initially withdrawn in April 2026 after the Minister acted upon recommendations submitted by the Minerals Commission following extensive inspections conducted by its Inspectorate Division. Those investigations identified what the Commission described as sustained and substantive breaches of Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703, together with provisions contained in its subsidiary legislation.
According to the findings presented to the Minister, Adamus Resources Limited committed several regulatory violations in the course of its mining activities. Among the most significant findings was the unauthorised assignment of mineral rights, through which portions of the company’s concessions were allegedly subleased to foreign nationals who subsequently conducted independent mining operations without obtaining the prior written authorisation of the sector Minister.
Such conduct constitutes a violation of Section 14(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703, which regulates the assignment of mineral rights and establishes the conditions under which such rights may be transferred.
Investigators further established that mining activities had been undertaken beyond designated and authorised areas without the necessary Operating Permit issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines. The conduct was found to be inconsistent with Regulations 200(1)(b) and 200(1)(d) of the Minerals and Mining Licensing Regulations, 2012, Legislative Instrument 2176.
The regulatory breaches extended beyond the mining concessions themselves. The Minerals Commission determined that Adamus had commenced activities within assigned areas without securing the environmental and forestry clearances required from the Environmental Protection Authority. The failure to obtain the requisite approvals was deemed to be contrary to Section 18 of the Minerals and Mining Act.
The review process also raised concerns about the company’s level of cooperation with the Interim Management Committee that had been constituted to supervise the mining operation. According to the findings of the review committee, Adamus Resources Limited failed to provide the committee with complete and accurate information and was found to have deliberately withheld relevant details while supplying information considered misleading.
The committee’s assessment further revealed a series of outstanding financial obligations involving substantial sums owed to the state. These included approximately 2.56 million United States dollars in unpaid mineral rights fees, together with 86.8 million Ghana cedis in outstanding royalty payments and approximately 290.5 million Ghana cedis in tax arrears.
The investigation also identified unexplained discrepancies relating to the company’s gold exports, raising additional concerns regarding the accuracy and transparency of its reported production and export records.
Further scrutiny of the company’s financial activities established that approximately 224 million United States dollars had been transferred to related entities outside Ghana between 2020 and 2024. The review committee also determined that the environmental bonds associated with the company’s mining obligations had not been fully satisfied.
Taken together, the findings presented a broad range of regulatory, financial, operational and environmental concerns, which ultimately reinforced the government’s original decision to withdraw the mining leases.
With the review process now concluded, Minister Buah and officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, together with representatives of the Minerals Commission, visited the mining site to engage directly with key stakeholders, including employees of the operation.
During the working visit, the Minister sought to provide reassurance to workers and other stakeholders regarding the immediate future of activities at the mine. He indicated that the Minerals Commission would take steps to ensure that mining operations continue without interruption until the government announces its subsequent decision concerning the management and future direction of the operation.
The Minister has also signalled his determination to ensure that the financial obligations identified during the investigation are fully addressed. He indicated that efforts would be made to secure the appropriate legal order compelling Adamus Resources Limited to settle promptly and completely all outstanding royalties, taxes, mineral rights fees and other financial liabilities owed to the Government of Ghana.
The government’s decision therefore marks a significant development in its broader effort to strengthen regulatory compliance within Ghana’s mining industry and ensure that companies operating under state granted mineral rights meet their statutory, financial and environmental responsibilities.
The final determination also reinforces the government’s position that mining companies must comply strictly with the legal framework governing the acquisition, assignment and utilisation of mineral rights, while fulfilling their obligations to the state, host communities and the environment.
For Adamus Resources Limited, the confirmation of the lease revocations closes the administrative review initiated following its petition, although the government’s stated intention to pursue outstanding financial liabilities means that the company’s obligations to the state remain an important issue following the Minister’s determination.
