The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has upheld the revocation of Adamus Mining lease after a Ministerial Review Committee affirmed most of the breaches identified in the initial assessment of the company’s mining operations.
The decision clears the way for the Minerals Commission to take administrative control of the Adamus Mine at Salman in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
The Lands Minister announced the decision during a working visit to Adamus Resources Limited, where he said the review process was undertaken to allow the company to present its concerns before a final determination was made.
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According to Mr Buah, the Ministerial Review Committee considered the appeals submitted by Adamus Resources and subsequently concluded that most of the breaches identified in the initial assessment were valid.
He said the findings supported the government’s earlier decision to revoke the Adamus mining lease, paving the way for the Minerals Commission to assume administrative responsibility for the mine.
“Following the report of the Minerals Commission to the Chief Inspector of Mines, and with recommendations of the great violation of the Mining Act and mining regulations, a recommendation for revocation of some mining leases was made,” he said.
The Minister added that following a petition by the company, government established the Ministerial Review Committee to examine the matter.
“That work has come to an end. As a Minister, I have concluded to uphold the revocation. What that means is that the Minerals Commission should, with immediate effect, take administrative control of this Mine,” Mr Buah said.
The government’s decision follows allegations of breaches of the terms and conditions governing Adamus Resources’ mining operations.
The initial assessment by the Minerals Commission and the Chief Inspector of Mines reportedly identified violations of Ghana’s mining laws and regulations.
The subsequent review was intended to ensure that the concerns raised by Adamus Resources were properly considered before the government reached a final decision.
Following the committee’s report, the Lands Minister said the earlier revocation decision would stand.
With the Adamus mining lease revocation upheld, the Minerals Commission is expected to take immediate administrative control of the mine.
The move will allow the government to determine how the mining operation should be managed while efforts are made to establish a sustainable future for the facility.
Officials of the Minerals Commission accompanied the Lands Minister during his visit to the mine, alongside other stakeholders.
Despite upholding the lease revocation, government is exploring options to revitalise the Adamus Mine and restore production.
The government says efforts to revive the mine could help preserve jobs, create new economic opportunities and ensure that Ghana’s mineral resources generate greater benefits for the country.
Particular attention is expected to be placed on the economic well-being of communities within the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, as well as the wider Ghanaian economy.
The decision forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the management of Ghana’s mineral resources and ensure that mining companies comply with the country’s laws and regulatory requirements.
The Lands Ministry has emphasised the need for Ghana’s mineral resources to be managed in the national interest while ensuring that mining contributes meaningfully to economic development and the welfare of host communities.
The next steps will involve the Minerals Commission’s administrative takeover of the Adamus Mine and the government’s consideration of options for restoring the operation to productive use.
CNR