The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has upheld the revocation of three mining leases belonging to Adamus Resources Limited after a government review uncovered major regulatory and financial breaches, including millions of dollars in unpaid obligations and US$224 million transferred to related parties abroad.
The decision leaves the company’s Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases revoked, bringing to an end its attempt to overturn the government’s initial action.
The Minister’s final determination follows a report submitted by an Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted to review Adamus Resources Limited’s petition challenging the revocation.
The three leases were initially revoked in April 2026 after the Minerals Commission recommended sanctions against the company following investigations into its mining operations.
With the review process concluded, the government has maintained its decision to withdraw the mineral rights, clearing the way for further action over the company’s outstanding financial obligations and the future management of the affected concessions.
The initial action followed a series of inspections by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission, which identified what authorities described as sustained and material breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and its subsidiary legislation.
Unpaid Royalties, Taxes and Mineral Rights Fees
Beyond the violations that triggered the original revocation, the review committee uncovered additional financial and regulatory issues involving the company.
According to the findings, Adamus Resources Limited owed US$2.56 million in mineral rights fees, GH¢86.8 million in royalties and GH¢290.5 million in tax arrears.
The committee also identified unexplained variances in the company’s gold exports.
It further found that Adamus transferred approximately US$224 million to related parties outside Ghana between 2020 and 2024.
The review also established that environmental bonds required in connection with the company’s operations had only been partially fulfilled.
Unauthorised Subleasing and Mining
The Minerals Commission’s earlier investigations found that Adamus had allegedly assigned portions of its mineral concessions to foreign nationals for independent mining activities without obtaining prior written approval from the Lands Minister.
Authorities said the action breached Section 14(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006.
The company was also cited for allegedly conducting mining activities outside demarcated and permitted areas without an approved Operating Permit from the Chief Inspector of Mines.
According to the Commission, this contravened Regulations 200(1)(b) and 200(1)(d) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176).
Investigators further established that the company failed to secure the requisite environmental and forestry approvals from the Environmental Protection Authority before operations commenced in some of the assigned areas, contrary to Section 18 of Act 703.
Committee Accuses Adamus of Withholding Information
The review committee also raised concerns about the company’s cooperation with authorities.
It found that Adamus failed to cooperate adequately with the Interim Management Committee established to oversee the mine.
According to the findings, the company concealed information and supplied misleading data during the review process.
These findings, together with the regulatory and financial breaches identified during the investigations, informed the Minister’s decision to maintain the revocation of the three mining leases.
Operations to Continue for Now
Following the decision, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah and officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission visited the mine to engage workers and other key stakeholders.
The Minister assured workers that the Minerals Commission would take steps to ensure uninterrupted operations at the mine while the government determines the next course of action.
The assurance is expected to ease immediate concerns among workers over the implications of the lease revocations for operations and employment.
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Mr Armah-Kofi Buah has also indicated his intention to secure an order compelling Adamus Resources Limited to fully settle outstanding royalties, taxes and other financial obligations owed to the Government of Ghana.
The government’s final decision means the Akango, Salman and Nkroful leases will remain revoked unless altered through any subsequent lawful process.
