In a major crackdown on regulatory non-compliance, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has officially revoked the mining leases for Adamus Resources Limited across three key sites: Akango, Salman, and Nkroful.
The decision follows a detailed investigation by the Minerals Commission, which uncovered a series of blatant violations of Ghana’s mining laws, effectively linking the company’s concessions to “galamsey” (illegal mining) operations.
Core Violations & Investigative Findings:
The Minerals Commission’s report, backed by photographic and documentary evidence, highlighted several critical breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and its subsequent amendments:
Unauthorized Sub-contracting:
The company bypassed Section 14 of Act 703 by sub-contracting mining operations without the mandatory consent of the Minister.
Lack of Permits:
Operations were carried out without approved mining plans or valid operating permits from the Chief Inspector of Mines, violating LI 2182.
Environmental Neglect:
No approvals were secured from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), leading to severe land degradation and threats to local water bodies and public health.
Illegal Foreign Labor:
The investigation found Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining activities on the concessions, a direct violation of Act 995.
Substandard Practices:
Mining was conducted outside designated areas and away from approved infrastructure, disregarding standard safety and technical protocols.
Decisive Legal Action
Citing the “gravity and deliberate nature” of these breaches, the Minister acted on the recommendation of the Minerals Commission to protect the public interest.
“Immediate revocation is warranted where mineral rights are used to facilitate ‘galamsey’ or where statutory requirements are fundamentally violated.”
Key Legal Implications:
Criminal Charges:
The revocation does not protect Adamus Resources or its directors from potential criminal prosecution under Act 995.
Job Security:
The Ministry has pledged to implement measures to safeguard the livelihoods of legitimate workers affected by the lease cancellations.
Government Stance
This move signals a renewed rigor in the government’s fight against illegal mining.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to managing Ghana’s natural resources transparently and warned that decisive action will continue against any entity found flouting the nation’s environmental and mineral laws.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi
