Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced that the ministerial committee will review a petition from Adamus Resources Limited over the revocation of its mining leases.

According to the Land Minister, the decision follows a meeting with the Minerals Commission and management of Adamus.

He disclosed that the company submitted a petition seeking a review of the revocation of its leases covering the Akango, Salman, and Nkroful concessions.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, April 30, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah stated, “I just had a very constructive meeting, the Minerals Commission, the Adamus Mine Management and their team. I have also just received from them a petition requesting administrative review and reversal of the decision that has been made to revoke the leases”.

“The committee will be in place, starting work on Monday. The terms of reference will be very clear to look at the work and the recommendations that have been done, and also to look at other additional information. They will directly engage Adamus and give them the opportunity to address a lot of the concerns they have in this petition,” he stated.

He also disclosed that an interim management committee has been set up to oversee operations at the mine during the period of assessment.

“I am also at the same time setting up an interim management committee to manage the mine, working closely with the mining company, Adamus, in a very orderly manner until we have concluded the work of the committee,” he added.

Following the Adamus lease revocation they strongly rejected allegations that it is engaged in illegal mining, insisting it operates fully within Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework while actively combating galamsey activities within its concessions.

In a detailed press release issued on April 29, 2026, the company said attempts by regulatory authorities to portray it as complicit in illegal mining are inaccurate and do not reflect the true situation on the ground.

“Adamus is a duly licensed, indigenous Ghanaian mining company operating under valid leases and permits granted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ghana,” the company stated.

It emphasised that it remains fully compliant with its regulatory obligations under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and cannot reasonably be expected to engage in illegal mining within its own legally acquired concessions.

Fighting illegal mining, not supporting it

According to the company, the real challenge it faces is the persistent and organised invasion of its concessions at Akango, Salman and Nkroful by illegal miners.

“What the Company has faced is a sustained and complex challenge of illegal mining activities within its concessions… These activities have been persistent, organised and, in several instances, have raised serious safety and security concerns,” the statement noted.

Adamus disclosed that it has consistently documented these illegal operations and reported them through official channels, working with state institutions and security agencies to address the situation.

These interventions, it said, have led to arrests and the seizure of excavators and other equipment used in illegal mining, although concerns remain about the ownership of such machinery.

The company also revealed that it has repeatedly rejected requests from individuals seeking access to its concessions for unauthorised small-scale or so-called “community” mining.

“A regulated mining company operating under valid leases, subject to continuous oversight, cannot reasonably be expected to engage in illegal mining within its own concessions,” it stressed.

Due process concerns

Adamus further raised concerns about what it described as a failure to follow due process in actions taken against it.

Citing provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, particularly Sections 5 and 68, the company argued that any decision to suspend or revoke a mining lease must follow clear legal procedures, including transparency, justification and the opportunity to respond.

“Any action affecting a mining lease must follow the due process prescribed by law… A departure from these requirements raises serious questions about regulatory certainty and the rule of law,” the statement said.

Indigenous company under pressure

The company highlighted that it is one of the few large-scale indigenous mining firms in Ghana, and notably led by a woman, describing its position as significant for local participation in the sector.

It warned that how the situation is handled could affect investor confidence and access to capital for Ghanaian-owned mining companies.

“Investor confidence is closely tied to perceptions of regulatory fairness, stability and respect for legal processes,” the company noted.

Commitment to transparency

Adamus reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, stating that it possesses extensive documentary evidence — including photographs, video and audio recordings — of illegal mining activities within its concessions, which it is prepared to make available to relevant authorities.

The company also denied allegations that it facilitated bail for individuals arrested in connection with illegal mining, insisting that official records do not support such claims.

It reiterated its willingness to cooperate with any credible and transparent investigation to establish the facts.

Salma Chief backs Adamus

Meanwhile, the Chief of Salma in the Ellembelle District, Nana Kwamena Bentum, has publicly defended Adamus Resources, insisting the company is being unfairly targeted despite its efforts to fight illegal mining.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM, he dismissed claims that the company is involved in galamsey and described the allegations as misleading.

“Adamus’ concession has gold everywhere, and many people go there to do galamsey. But the company has been stopping them. The CEO has been fighting those alluvial miners who dig holes and leave them exposed,” he said.

He also rejected claims that foreign nationals are operating on the concession.

“It is not true that Chinese people have come here; they are all allegations. The people working there are Ghanaians,” Nana Bentum stated.

The chief further argued that the company has been supporting livelihoods in the community and should not be penalised.

“The woman has not done anything wrong. She has been helping Ghanaians, and her license should not be taken away,” he added.

Call for fairness

Adamus concluded by reiterating that the matter must be handled on the basis of fairness, due process and respect for Ghana’s legal framework.

“The issues at hand must be addressed on the basis of fairness, due process and respect for the legal framework governing the mining sector,” the company stated, adding that this is critical not only for its operations but for the integrity of Ghana’s mining industry as a whole.