Minerals Commission Boss Defends Revocation of Adamus Leases, Says ‘Era of Impunity Is Over’

The Minerals Commission has declared the revocation of Adamus Resources Limited’s mining leases “lawful, evidence-based, and in the public interest,” dismissing claims of political interference.

At a press conference Monday at the Commission’s Accra headquarters, CEO Isaac Tandoh laid out the findings that led Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to cancel the company’s Akango, Salman, and Nkroful leases.

“Systematic and Flagrant Violations”
“Following routine inspections by our Inspectorate Division, it was established that Adamus Resources Limited unlawfully assigned portions of its mineral rights to third parties without prior ministerial consent,” Tandoh told journalists.

The Commission’s investigation, backed by “pictorial evidence and on-site inspections,” revealed a pattern of breaches across multiple concessions:

1. lIllegal assignments: Adamus released three concession areas — Nkroful, Akango, and Salman — for mining outside its approved areas, with no access to its processing plant.
2. No approved plans: Active mining preparations were underway at Akango and Salman using excavators and bulldozers, but with “no approved mining operating plans or permits” from the Chief Inspector of Mines.
3. Chinese galamsey: Foreign nationals, specifically Chinese, were found conducting illegal mining “several kilometres” from Adamus’ infrastructure. At Akango, three excavators and one bulldozer were operational. At Salman, eight excavators and one bulldozer were doing earthworks over 4km from the company’s mine site.
4. Environmental damage: The activities were “substandard, environmentally destructive, and inconsistent with accepted industry practices,” causing land disturbance and risks to water bodies.

“No mineral resources or reserves were defined in the released areas to justify any legally sanctioned contract mining,” Tandoh added.

Why Immediate Revocation?
While mining law typically requires a notice period to remedy breaches, Tandoh said immediate revocation is justified “where illegalities are found to be flagrant and deliberate.”

“This decision was neither arbitrary nor politically motivated,” he stressed. “It was a direct consequence of persistent violations by Adamus Resources Limited.”

*Precedent and Prosecution*
The Commission has recommended prosecution of the company and its directors under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

“The revocation serves as a precedent: illegality will not be disguised as investment,” Tandoh said. “We will not condone the use of foreign operators to conduct illegal mining under the cover of a lease.”

He added that the Commission will work with the Ministry to “safeguard lawful jobs affected” and announce transitional measures soon.

Push for Ghanaian Ownership
Tandoh used the briefing to clarify Ghana’s contract mining policy. Since January 1, 2025, surface contract mining has been reserved for indigenous Ghanaian companies under LI 2431.

“This is not a nationalist agenda,” he said. “It is a deliberate strategy to empower indigenous firms to move beyond subcontractors and take leading roles.” He noted most multinationals have already complied.

“We Will Not Waver”
“The era of impunity where leases are used to facilitate ‘galamsey’ and foreign nationals operate without authorisation is over,” Tandoh declared.

“The Minerals Commission will continue unannounced inspections, prosecute offenders, and recommend cancellation of rights where the public interest, national security, or the environment is at stake.”

“Ghana welcomes responsible investment. But companies that act with impunity will face the full rigours of the law.”