Government has revoked the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited following what officials describe as serious and deliberate breaches of Ghana’s mining laws.
At a press conference in Accra on Monday, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Andrews Tandoh, said investigations uncovered widespread violations across the company’s operations at Akango, Salman and Nkroful.
According to him, the company unlawfully assigned parts of its mineral rights to third parties without approval from the Minister, in breach of the Minerals and Mining Act.
The findings, he said, were based on inspections and on-site investigations carried out by the Commission’s Inspectorate Division, supported by visual evidence gathered from multiple locations.
Beyond the unauthorised transfers, the Commission also found that mining activities were taking place outside approved concession areas, without defined mineral reserves and without the required permits.
At some of the sites, heavy equipment including excavators and bulldozers were already in use, despite the absence of approved operational plans.
Mr Tandoh revealed that foreign nationals, particularly Chinese operators, were actively engaged in illegal mining activities on parts of the concessions. These operations, he said, were being carried out far from the company’s main infrastructure and without proper authorisation.
He added that the nature of the mining observed was environmentally destructive and fell short of accepted industry standards, posing risks to land, water bodies and public health.
The Commission argued that the scale and intent of the breaches justified immediate revocation of the leases, despite provisions that typically allow companies time to remedy such violations.
“This decision was neither arbitrary nor politically motivated,” Mr Tandoh told the press. “It is a lawful, evidence-based action taken to protect Ghana’s natural resources, environment and public interest.”
He stressed that the revocation is only one part of the process, with criminal proceedings expected to follow.
During a question and answer session, Mr Tandoh disclosed that some officials of Adamus Resources had intervened to bail out individuals arrested for illegal mining on their concession.
“If we have arrested illegal Chinese miners on your mine and you go around to bail them, what are you telling us as a country?” he asked.
He confirmed that authorities are working with investigative agencies to pursue prosecution of the company and its directors.
“We’ve cancelled the lease, but there is that criminal portion that we are going to follow,” he said.
Mr Tandoh also clarified that once a mining lease is revoked, it ceases to belong to the company.
“If your lease is gone, your lease is gone. It wasn’t sold to Adamus. It belongs to the state. If you don’t follow the rules, it reverts back to the state,” he explained.
He added that operations at the site are now under the supervision of the Minerals Commission, pending the establishment of an interim management structure to oversee the mine while government determines its next steps.
The Commission further used the briefing to reinforce its position on local participation in mining, stating that contract mining arrangements must prioritise Ghanaian-owned companies or partnerships that include significant local ownership.
Mr Tandoh said most multinational firms have already adjusted to these requirements, which form part of Ghana’s local content regulations.
He warned that the Commission will continue to carry out unannounced inspections and will not hesitate to revoke licences where companies breach the law or endanger the environment.
“Ghana welcomes responsible investment,” he said. “But the era of impunity is over.”
