The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Tandoh, has announced plans to pursue criminal prosecution against officials of Adamus Resources Limited following developments involving illegal mining activities on the company’s concession.

The decision follows the arrest of some Chinese nationals engaged in unlawful mining operations on the site, raising serious concerns about compliance and oversight.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, April 27, 2026, he indicated that the situation has exposed what he described as troubling conduct on the part of the company.

“So yes, the Chinese nationals got arrested and the unfortunate thing is Adamus officials went back to bail these Chinese nationals. So I think we don’t get the gravity of the situation,” he said.

He described the development as unacceptable, questioning the message such actions send in the broader fight against illegal mining in the country.

“If we have arrested illegal Chinese miners on your mine and you go around to go and bail them, I mean what are you telling us as a country?” he asked.

The Commission disclosed that while a portion of the company’s lease has already been revoked, the matter will not end there, as authorities are moving to address the criminal dimension of the case.

“So that is why we said there is also a portion we’ve cancelled the lease, but there is that prosecution portion, that criminal portion that we are going to follow. We are working with the Attorney-General,” he stated.

Government revokes Adamus Resources' mining leases over illegal operations

The regulator further clarified that mining leases remain the property of the state and can be withdrawn when operators fail to comply with laid-down regulations.

“If your lease is gone, your lease is gone. We are not using any… it’s no longer your property and it’s a lease. It wasn’t sold to Adamus. It belongs to the government,” Tandoh noted.

He explained that once a lease is revoked, all associated rights revert to the state, and any ongoing activities on the site are now being supervised by the Commission.

“I said we gave you a lease. It’s… we didn’t sell it to you. It’s for the government. So if you stop following rules, those leases revert back to the government,” he added.

The Commission mentioned that issues relating to assets on the concession will be handled in accordance with the law, including possible compensation where necessary.

“If your assets are fully depreciated, they get back to the government. Those that are not fully depreciated, we work through the numbers and if there should be compensation, we will deal with that,” he said.

SO/MA

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