Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has dismissed reports and public speculation that the government’s revocation of the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited is intended to pave the way for the company or its assets to be sold to another investor.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Ministry said the decision to revoke the leases was purely regulatory and followed findings by the Minerals Commission of breaches of Ghana’s mining laws, regulatory requirements and financial obligations.
“The Ministry wishes to state categorically that the revocation of the mining leases is not a decision to sell Adamus Resources Limited or its mining assets,” the statement said.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of months of controversy surrounding the Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases in the Western Region and speculation about what would happen to the assets following the government’s decision to revoke them.
The government announced the revocation in April after investigations by the Minerals Commission found alleged breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), including the unauthorised assignment of portions of the company’s mineral rights and mining activities outside approved areas.
Following the revocation, military personnel were deployed to secure the mine’s assets, while the Minerals Commission indicated that operations would be protected in the interest of the state.
Adamus Resources subsequently challenged the decision, maintaining that it had complied with Ghana’s mining laws and arguing that due process had not been followed. The company petitioned Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to reverse the revocation.
The Ministry later indicated that an independent committee would assess the company’s petition and that an Interim Management Committee, including representatives of Adamus Resources, would oversee the mine pending the outcome. The Ministry nevertheless maintained that the revocation remained in force.
The dispute has also fuelled speculation about the future ownership and control of the mine. Earlier reports had raised claims about possible transfers of interests in the mine, including suggestions involving prospective investors, while other reports alleged that parts of Adamus’ concessions had previously been made available to foreign entities. Adamus denied those claims and maintained that it was a Ghanaian-owned and managed company.
There were also political claims following the revocation that the mine could eventually be handed to other private interests, although those suggestions were publicly disputed.
Against that background, the Ministry’s latest statement seeks to distinguish the revocation of Adamus Resources’ mining rights and any possible sale or transfer of the company’s assets.
Ministry cites regulatory breaches
According to the Ministry, the Minerals Commission established that Adamus Resources had conducted mining activities outside designated and permitted areas without the required operating permit from the Chief Inspector of Mines.
It said the Commission also identified wider regulatory and operational breaches relating to the company’s mining activities.
“The decision was taken following findings by the Minerals Commission of consequential breaches of Ghana’s mining laws, regulatory requirements and financial obligations associated with the company’s operations,” the Ministry said.
The statement further cited outstanding financial obligations arising from the company’s operations as one of the issues considered in the decision.
“The Commission also established that Adamus Resources Limited had outstanding financial obligations and defaults arising from its mining operations,” it said.
The Ministry maintained that mining companies must comply not only with technical and environmental requirements but also with their statutory financial obligations to the state.
‘Regulatory decision, not a sale’
The Ministry stressed that withdrawing a mining lease should not automatically be interpreted as a decision by the government to sell the affected company or transfer its assets.
“The Ministry wishes to emphasise that the revocation of a mining lease should not be misconstrued as a government decision to sell the affected company,” it stated.
It said the Minerals Commission and other state institutions have a responsibility to ensure that Ghana’s mineral resources are exploited in accordance with the law and in a manner that protects the public interest.
According to the Ministry, where the holder of a mining right fails to comply with the terms of its lease or applicable laws, the government is required to take regulatory action.
“The decision concerning Adamus Resources Limited was therefore based on compliance, legality and protection of the public interest, and not on an intention to transfer the company’s assets to a preferred investor,” the statement said.
No government decision to sell Adamus
The Ministry was emphatic that no decision has been taken to sell Adamus Resources Limited or its mining assets.
“The Ministry therefore wishes to make it clear that there is currently no Government decision to sell Adamus Resources Limited or its mining assets,” it stated.
It described suggestions that the revocation was intended to facilitate a sale to another entity as speculative.
“Any suggestion that the revocation was undertaken to facilitate the sale of the company’s assets to another entity is speculative and does not reflect the basis for Government’s decision,” the Ministry added.
The Ministry said the government remained committed to transparency, fairness and due process in the management of Ghana’s mineral resources and would continue working with the Minerals Commission and other relevant institutions to enforce compliance with mining laws, licence conditions and financial obligations.
“The government’s position is clear: Ghana’s mineral resources belong to the people of Ghana, and their exploitation must be conducted within the law and in the greater national interest,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Adamus Resources Limited has rejected the decision to uphold the revocation of its mining leases, accusing the ministry of abusing its powers and disregarding Ghana’s mining laws.
