The government has cancelled three mining leases held by Adamus Resources Limited following investigations that uncovered unlawful sub-contracting, unpermitted operations, and foreign national involvement in “galamsey” — with criminal charges now possible.

In a decisive move against regulatory violations in the extractive sector, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has revoked the Akango, Salman, and Nkroful mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited.

The decision, announced in a press statement on Sunday, April 26, follows a series of investigations by the Minerals Commission that uncovered multiple instances of illegal and unauthorised mining activities in direct breach of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and related regulations.

The revocation, made pursuant to Section 100(2) of Act 703, is deemed to be in the public interest, particularly where mineral rights have been used to facilitate illegal mining activities — commonly referred to as “galamsey” — or where statutory requirements have been fundamentally violated.

Six Major Breaches Uncovered by Investigators

According to the Ministry, investigations supported by documentary and photographic evidence revealed several serious infractions by Adamus Resources Limited:

1. Unlawful Sub-Contracting: The company sub-contracted mining operations on its concessions without obtaining necessary ministerial consent as required under Section 14 of Act 703.
2. Illegal Mining Without Permits: Operations were carried out without approved mining operating plans or valid permits from the Chief Inspector of Mines, violating Regulation 8(1) of the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2182).
3. Failure to Obtain Regulatory Approvals: The company did not secure essential approvals from bodies including the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), in breach of Section 18 of Act 703.
4. Engagement of Foreign Nationals in Illegal Mining: Specifically, Chinese nationals were involved in “galamsey” activities on the affected concessions — a direct contravention of Section 99(5)(a) and (b) of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).
5. Substandard Mining Operations: Activities took place outside designated mining areas, far from approved infrastructure, and fell below regulatory standards.
6. Environmental Degradation: The illegal operations caused significant land disturbance and ecosystem destruction, posing serious risks to water bodies, public health, and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

Criminal Charges Not Ruled Out

The government made clear that revocation of the leases is not the end of the matter. The decision does not preclude the possibility of criminal charges being brought against the company, its directors, and management under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

“The government has made it clear that it will take all necessary steps to hold those responsible for the illegal mining activities accountable,” the statement read.

The Ministry has also reassured the public that steps will be taken to protect the jobs and livelihoods of workers impacted by the revocation of the leases, with further measures to support affected workers to be announced in due course.

Broader Implications for Ghana’s Mining Sector

The revocation of Adamus Resources Limited’s mining leases signals an intensification of Ghana’s crackdown on regulatory violations in the extractive industry, particularly those linked to “galamsey” — a persistent challenge that has caused widespread environmental damage across the country.

For global investors and mining operators in West Africa, the decision serves as a clear warning that Ghanaian authorities are prepared to enforce compliance with mining laws, including provisions against unauthorised foreign participation and environmental negligence.

The move also aligns with broader regional efforts under ECOWAS to combat illegal resource extraction, which has been linked to financing for non-state armed groups and transnational criminal networks.

Adamus Resources Limited has not yet issued a public response to the revocation. The company’s mining leases covered concessions in the Western Region, an area known for significant gold deposits and active small-scale mining operations.

ACCRA – The Government of Ghana will invest $250 million to establish a world-class artificial intelligence computing centre, with an additional $20 million committed to support the short to medium-term implementation of the country’s National AI Strategy, President John Dramani Mahama announced on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Speaking at the launch of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025-2035), the President described the investment as bold but necessary, arguing that AI cannot thrive without the infrastructure to support it.

“Data, computing power, connectivity and energy are now as strategic to the digital age as roads, ports, railways and power plants were to earlier eras of development,” Mahama said.

He added that the government was taking deliberate steps to strengthen the national data centre and ensure the country’s digital backbone was secure, resilient and capable of supporting growing AI demands.

The proposed AI Computing Centre, the President explained, would serve as a hub for research, innovation and enterprise, equipping Ghanaian talent with the tools to build solutions not only for Ghana but for the wider African continent.

Measurable Targets and Accountability

Mahama said the scale of the investment reflected the seriousness with which the government was approaching the AI agenda, emphasising that transformation must be measurable, accountable and results-oriented rather than merely rhetorical.

To that end, the government has introduced key performance indicators across ministries, departments and agencies to drive measurable adoption and integration of AI across the public sector.

Call for Partnerships

The President acknowledged, however, that government alone could not build a thriving AI ecosystem. He called on academia, civil society, industry and development partners to join the effort.

“To those who have yet to join this effort, I extend an invitation to partner with us in implementing this strategy,” Mahama said. “Invest in Ghanaian talent, support Ghanaian innovation, work with us to build an AI future anchored in inclusion, shared prosperity and African relevance.”

One Million Coders Programme and Curriculum Reform

The financial commitments come alongside Ghana’s One Million Coders programme, which has already processed over 100,000 applications. The programme is targeting the training of at least 300,000 Ghanaians this year across more than 15 courses in 10 disciplines.

The government also plans to introduce AI coding, robotics and electronics at the basic school level following a curriculum review expected to be completed by the end of June 2026.

Vision for 2035

By 2035, President Mahama said, the ambition is to have built a national AI ecosystem that expands literacy and access, strengthens jobs and entrepreneurship, supports local innovation, deepens data sovereignty, and improves public service performance.

The announcement positions Ghana as one of the largest public investors in AI infrastructure in West Africa, competing with regional peers such as Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, which have also signalled interest in AI development.

ACCRA – Ghana has given three international mining companies until December 2026 to shift operations to local contractors or face sanctions.

With this move, Ghana joins a growing list of African governments tightening resource rules to extract greater revenue from the continent’s mineral wealth.

The Minerals Commission’s directive to Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti and Chinese-owned Zijin reflects a broader continental shift as African nations move to assert greater control over their natural resources amid rising global prices for gold and other minerals.

The three companies are the only major miners still operating their own mines after most outsourced operations ahead of Ghana’s revised local ownership rules in January 2025.

Under the regulations, surface mining must be undertaken by fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground mining requires companies with at least 50 percent Ghanaian ownership.

The move places Ghana alongside other resource-rich African nations that have recently tightened their regulatory grip on foreign miners. In November, Mali ended a near two-year standoff with Barrick Gold over enforcement of its new mining code, a dispute that underscored the region’s determination to renegotiate the terms of resource extraction.

“African governments have been tightening mining rules to extract more revenue against a backdrop of rising prices for minerals and metals produced,” Reuters reported, citing industry observers.

Deadlines and Sanctions

According to separate letters sent to the three companies in October and January, the Minerals Commission rejected requests for extensions beyond December 2026. Newmont, which operates the Ahafo North and South gold mines, had sought full compliance by 2027, citing additional regulatory and governance requirements as a listed company.

Regulators turned down that request, noting that other listed miners, including Gold Fields, had already complied with the contract mining requirements.

The commission warned that miners failing to meet the deadline could face sanctions, though the nature of those penalties was not specified in the documents seen by Reuters.

Industry Response

Zijin’s Ghana unit has been engaging with the Minerals Commission since November 2025 to comply with the local content rules, including preparing tenders and technical frameworks for a shift to contract mining. Newmont and AngloGold did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines is engaging with the commission on the issue, according to a source within the group. While describing contract mining as “a good option,” the source expressed reservations about the mandatory nature of the policy.

“If I can be more efficient, why shouldn’t I mine myself?” the source said.

A Continental Shift

The enforcement action in Ghana signals a broader realignment of power between African governments and international mining companies. For decades, foreign firms have negotiated favourable terms to extract the continent’s vast mineral resources. Now, with global demand for gold, lithium, cobalt and other critical minerals intensifying, African nations are leveraging their position to demand greater local participation and revenue sharing.

For Ghana, Africa’s top gold producer, the message is clear: foreign miners must integrate local firms into their operations or face consequences.

Whether the December 2026 deadline will hold, and what sanctions might follow for non-compliance, remains to be seen. But the direction of travel is unmistakable.