The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has rejected speculation that the government’s revocation of the mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited was intended to pave the way for the sale of the company or its mining assets to another investor.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, the Ministry said the decision was purely regulatory and followed findings by the Minerals Commission that the company had breached 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,” it said.

The clarification follows months of controversy over the Akango, Salman and Nkroful mining leases in the Western Region and speculation about the future of the company’s assets following the revocation.

The government announced the revocation in April after the Minerals Commission identified alleged breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), including the unauthorised assignment of portions of mineral rights and mining activities outside approved areas.

The Ministry said the Commission also found that Adamus had conducted mining activities outside designated and permitted areas without the required operating permit from the Chief Inspector of Mines.

It added that the company had outstanding financial obligations and defaults arising from its mining operations.

The Ministry said the revocation of a mining lease should not automatically be interpreted as a decision to sell the affected company or transfer its assets.

“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,” it said.

It stressed that no government decision had been taken to sell Adamus Resources or its mining assets.

“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.

Following the revocation, military personnel were deployed to secure the mine’s assets, while the Minerals Commission said operations would be protected in the interest of the state.

Adamus subsequently challenged the decision, insisting that it had complied with Ghana’s mining laws and that due process had not been followed.

The company petitioned Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to reverse the revocation. The Ministry later said an independent committee would assess the petition, while an Interim Management Committee, including representatives of Adamus, would oversee the mine pending the outcome.

The Ministry nevertheless maintained that the revocation remained in force.

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.

The dispute over the leases has also generated political and public claims about the possible transfer of interests in the mine to other investors. Adamus has previously denied such claims and maintained that it is a Ghanaian-owned and managed company.

The Lands Ministry said the government remained committed to transparency, fairness and due process in the management of Ghana’s mineral resources.

It said the Minerals Commission and other state institutions would continue enforcing 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 Ministry said.