Minerals Commission defends Adamus lease revocation, cites illegal mining and regulatory breaches

The Minerals Commission has firmly defended its decision to revoke the mining lease of Adamus Resources Limited, emphasizing that the action was taken in the national interest after what it described as “systemic and flagrant violations” of Ghana’s mining regulations.

According to the Commission, extensive investigations revealed that the company was involved in several unlawful mining practices, including the unauthorised assignment of portions of its concession to third parties and conducting operations without the required regulatory approvals. These actions, the Commission noted, constitute serious breaches of Ghana’s mining laws and undermine efforts to ensure responsible resource management.

The Commission has further warned that Adamus Resources Limited could face legal consequences if ongoing investigations confirm its culpability. Authorities say they are prepared to pursue prosecution to enforce compliance and deter similar violations within the mining sector.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Tandoh, stressed that the revocation decision was based strictly on legal grounds and supported by substantial evidence gathered during the Commission’s investigations.

“This decision was neither arbitrary nor politically motivated. It was a lawful, evidence-based action taken to protect Ghana's natural resources, safeguard the environment, and uphold the public interest,” he stated.

Mr Tandoh also revealed that the Commission intends to work closely with the Attorney General’s Department to ensure that all individuals or entities found responsible for the violations are held accountable under the law.

“The Commission will collaborate with the Attorney General to prosecute these perpetrators where necessary,” he added.

The Commission explained that the gravity and scale of the breaches left regulators with no alternative but to revoke the company’s mining rights and halt its operations entirely.

This development follows a directive issued by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to revoke the Akango, Salman, and Nkroful mining leases previously held by Adamus Resources Limited. In a statement released on Sunday, April 26, the Ministry indicated that the decision was informed by findings from the Minerals Commission, which pointed to multiple instances of illegal and unauthorised mining activities across the affected concessions.

The Minister’s action, together with the Commission’s enforcement measures, forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen regulatory oversight in Ghana’s mining sector. Authorities have in recent years intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities, widely known as “galamsey,” due to their devastating effects on water bodies, forest reserves, and the livelihoods of local communities.

Environmental concerns have remained at the forefront of the government’s agenda, as unchecked mining operations continue to pose significant threats to biodiversity and sustainable development. As a result, regulators have consistently pledged stricter enforcement of mining laws and more rigorous monitoring of mining companies operating within the country.

The revocation of Adamus Resources Limited’s leases is expected to further fuel the ongoing national conversation about compliance in the extractive industry, highlighting the need to strike a balance between attracting investment and ensuring environmental protection and responsible mining practices.