LMWG backs govt’s decision to uphold Adamus mining lease revocation

Lands and Mines Watch Ghana (LMWG) has thrown its support behind the government’s decision to uphold the revocation of three mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited.

The leases covering Akango, Salman and Nkroful were revoked following findings of regulatory breaches and financial obligations owed to the state.

LMWG said the decision by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, represents an important step towards strengthening accountability in Ghana’s mining sector.

The organisation said the review identified several issues, including the unauthorised assignment of mineral rights to foreign nationals, mining beyond permitted areas without an approved Operating Permit, and the failure to obtain the required environmental and forestry approvals before mining activities began.

It also cited the alleged concealment of information from the Interim Management Committee as one of the issues uncovered.

LMWG said the financial liabilities associated with the case were particularly concerning.

It identified $2.56 million in unpaid mineral rights fees, GH¢86.8 million in unpaid royalties and GH¢290.5 million in tax arrears.

The group also raised concerns over $224 million transferred to related parties abroad between 2020 and 2024, saying the figures point to broader concerns about revenue leakages within Ghana’s extractive sector.

LMWG has urged the government to move quickly to recover the outstanding financial obligations from Adamus.

“LMWG endorses the Minister’s stated intention to secure an order compelling Adamus to fully settle its royalty, tax and other financial obligations to the state, and urges that this be pursued without delay,” the organisation said.

The group also called on the Minerals Commission to ensure that all outstanding environmental bonds are secured.

It said the continuation of mining operations at the affected sites should not result in a relaxation of regulatory oversight.

“We further call on the Minerals Commission to ensure that the environmental bonds still owed are fully secured, and that the transition to uninterrupted operations at the mine site does not come at the expense of continued regulatory scrutiny,” LMWG said.

LMWG said it will continue monitoring the Adamus concessions and similar cases through its Quarterly Compliance Performance Index.

The organisation added that it is prepared to support government efforts to improve enforcement and accountability across Ghana’s mining sector.