Gov’t gives Adamus Resources 12-month reprieve to revive mine

The directive follows a meeting at the Presidency on Friday, August 21, aimed at resolving the dispute between the government and Adamus Resources and safeguarding one of Ghana’s few operating indigenous large-scale mines.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission and Adamus Resources are to prepare the roadmap, which will be overseen by a six-member management team comprising three representatives from the company and three from the government.

The management team will supervise the implementation of measures to restore the mine’s operations and improve its financial position.

The roadmap is also expected to include a plan for settling Adamus Resources’ outstanding liabilities to the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Minerals Income Investment Fund, financial institutions and suppliers.

The government and the company will further explore options for injecting fresh capital into the mining operation, including inviting additional partners to acquire equity in the business.

The parties have been given two weeks to present the proposed roadmap to the Presidency.

The government’s intervention comes amid efforts to resolve challenges facing Adamus Resources and preserve the operation as an indigenous large-scale mining asset.

The government’s latest intervention follows a protracted dispute over the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited, an indigenous large-scale mining company operating the Adamus Mine at Salman in the Ellembelle District.

In April 2026, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, revoked the company’s mining leases after investigations by the Minerals Commission found what the ministry described as multiple breaches of Ghana’s mining laws.

The ministry said the Minerals Commission had confirmed illegal mining activities on Adamus’ concessions at Akango, Salman and Nkroful.

According to the ministry, the company had also subcontracted its mining operations without the required approval from the minister, contrary to provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

The ministry further said Adamus had undertaken mining activities without approved operating plans or permits from the Chief Inspector of Mines.

Following the revocation, a Ministerial Review Committee was established to consider an appeal by the company.

However, on August 10, 2026, the minister upheld the initial decision to revoke the leases, saying the review process had allowed the company’s concerns to be properly considered.

The minister said the committee’s findings supported the original decision and paved the way for the Minerals Commission to assume administrative responsibility for the mine.

Adamus Resources subsequently rejected the government’s decision and indicated that it would challenge the revocation in court, describing the action as unlawful and contrary to Ghana’s mining laws.

The company also accused the Lands and Natural Resources Minister of disregarding procedures prescribed by law.

The ministry, however, maintained that the revocation was based on findings by the Minerals Commission that Adamus had breached mining laws and regulatory requirements.

The dispute also attracted criticism from some civil society actors. Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, accused the government of making what he described as a “calculated effort” to strip the Ghanaian owner of Adamus Resources of her mining assets, citing the speed with which the leases were revoked.

The latest government intervention marks a significant shift in the dispute.