Government has revoked the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited over alleged illegal mining activities and regulatory breaches, with security forces deployed to take control of its concessions as the company rejects the decision.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said the revocation covers the Akango, Salman and Nkroful concessions and follows investigations by the Minerals Commission, which found multiple violations of the country’s mining laws.
According to the ministry, the company sub-contracted mining activities without the required ministerial approval, in breach of Section 14 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and operated without approved mining plans and permits from the Chief Inspector of Mines, contrary to Regulation 8(1) of L.I. 2182.
Investigators also found that the company failed to obtain mandatory environmental approvals from the Environmental Protection Agency and allowed the involvement of foreign nationals in activities deemed illegal under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).
The report further cited operations outside approved concession areas, leading to environmental degradation and risks to water bodies and nearby communities.
“In view of the gravity and deliberate nature of these breaches, the Minister, upon the advice and recommendation of the Minerals Commission given pursuant to section 100(2) of Act 703, has determined that immediate revocation of the mineral rights is warranted in the public interest, especially in cases where mineral rights are being used to facilitate illegal mining activities (“galamsey”) or where statutory requirements have been fundamentally violated,” the statement said.
Shortly after the announcement, military personnel were deployed to the company’s operational areas, securing the site from the Esiama gate through all sections of the concession, effectively placing it under tight control.
The government said the revocation does not preclude possible criminal prosecution of the company, its directors and management, adding that measures would be introduced to protect affected workers.
However, Adamus Resources rejected the allegations, describing the decision as flawed and taken without due process.
“The company strongly rejects the allegations that have been cited as the basis for the revocation and states that they do not reflect the true facts surrounding its operations,” it said in a statement.
It added that it holds valid approvals from the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency and denied any involvement in illegal mining or unlawful subcontracting.
“The company was not formally notified of the specific allegations and was not afforded the opportunity to address same as required by the mining laws of Ghana,” it said, arguing that the process undermines principles of fairness and administrative justice.
