Adamus Resources Limited has rejected the government’s decision to uphold the revocation of its mining leases.
In a statement issued on August 12, the company described the action as unlawful and fundamentally flawed. The company has vowed to challenge the decision.
The company’s response comes after the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, confirmed the final revocation of three mining leases covering the Akango, Salman, and Nkroful concessions.
In its official statement, Adamus Resources expressed “shock and disappointment” at the Minister’s decision, asserting that the move to strip the company of its mineral rights was executed “without regard to any of the statutory procedures laid down in the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703)”.
The company denied the allegations that formed the basis of the revocation, categorically describing them as “unfounded, contrived, and deliberately manufactured” .
Adamus contends that these claims were fabricated with the specific intent to “strongarm the company in order to deprive it of its leases”.
The company has also levelled serious accusations against the Minister, noting the “abuse of power wrapped in the absolute disregard of law in the process leading to the contemptible revocation of its leases”.
The government’s decision to uphold the revocation was based on findings from a Ministerial Review Committee, which largely affirmed initial breaches identified by the Minerals Commission.
According to the committee’s report, Adamus Resources was found to have:
· Mined Outside Permitted Areas: Conducted mining activities outside its designated areas without obtaining the required Operating Permit, in breach of Regulations 200(1)(b) and 200(1)(d) of L.I. 2176.
· Unauthorised Assignment of Rights: Subleased portions of its concessions to foreign nationals for independent mining operations without obtaining prior written approval from the Minister, contrary to Section 14(1) of Act 703.
· Significant Financial Defaults: Owed substantial sums to the state, including US$2.56 million in unpaid mineral rights fees, GH¢86.8 million in unpaid royalties, and GH¢290.5 million in tax arrears.
The review also identified unexplained discrepancies in gold exports and found that US$224 million had been transferred to related parties abroad between 2020 and 2024.
Adamus Resources maintains that the Minister failed to follow the proper statutory procedures required for revoking a mineral right.
” Under the Minerals and Mining Act, the Minister’s power to revoke leases, while granted by Section 5(1) of Act 703, must be exercised in accordance with the law. This requires the Minister to notify the holder of breaches and allow a minimum of 120 days to address them before proceeding with revocation.”
Adamus argues that this procedural requirement was disregarded.
The company has signaled its intent to take “cogent steps” to “shred this baseless revocation,” indicating that legal action is imminent . Adamus has pledged to keep the Ghanaian public informed of its actions in the coming days.
The Minister has already directed the Minerals Commission to take immediate administrative control of the mine to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Meanwhile, the government has indicated its intention to seek a court order compelling Adamus Resources to settle its outstanding financial obligations.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
