A Minerals Commission Tender Committee’s recommendation has awarded the Damang mining lease to Engineers and Planners Company Limited (E&P), marking a significant moment in Ghana’s mining sector.

It signals a decisive shift towards indigenous firms gaining full control of large-scale mining operations and the preservation of the country’s gold wealth.

The recommendation, resulting from a thorough and competitive evaluation process conducted by the Minerals Commission, designates the Ghanaian-owned company as the leading candidate among four companies to assume full operational responsibility for the Damang Gold Mine in the Western Region, which Gold Fields Ghana Limited will cease to operate on April 18, 2026.

According to the evaluation report, E&P emerged as the highest-ranked bidder with an impressive technical and commercial score of 93.15%, outperforming its competitors in a process widely described as transparent and merit-based.

Based on this,the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, yesterday, issued a statement signed by the minister,

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, informing the public that the Ministry on “7^th April 2026, received the Report of the Tender Committee set up by the Minerals Commission under Regulation 261 of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations 2012 (LI 2176)”.

The statement revealed that “Pursuant to Regulations 262(1)(b) and 263 of LI 2176, the Commission has recommended that the Damang Mining Lease be granted to Engineers and Planners Ltd (E&P), determined by the Tender Committee as the successful tenderer.

This recommendation has been approved by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, with a further directive to the Commission to take all the requisite regulatory steps to give effect to the approval”.

The minister quoted portions of the Tender Committee saying E&P’s bid “satisfied al mandatory requirements set out in the Notice and provided documentary evidence of access to financing, meeting the USD 500 million minimum threshold.

The tender documentation indicates that the Company possesses experience and knowledge relevant to the operations infrastructure, and geology of the Damang Mine and submitted proposals for the development of same, including measures intended to extend the life of mine beyond ten (10) years”.

“Concluding, the Tender Committee states that “On the basis of the applicable evaluation criteria and scoring, the tender submitted by Engineers and Planners Ltd attained the highest evaluated score.

In summary, the Company demonstrated the highest capability to operate the Damang mine, substantiated by their submission of the most viable tender”.

The statement revealed the Report had mentioned “a total of four (4) tenders were received by the 16:00 GMT deadline on Tuesday, 31st March 2026, which also served as the announced tender opening day.

All tenders were considered in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Minister under Regulation 258(4) of LI 2176”.

The four companies were Vortex Resources Mining Group, Engineers and Planners Ltd, Heath Goldfields Ltd, and Maripoma Mining Services Ltd.

The four (4) tenders were then assessed in accordance with the mandatory requirements specified in Phase 1, Annexure C of the Notice, which states that if any tenderer fails to meet any of the mandatory requirements, it “shall result in the tender being disqualified and not to be considered for further evaluation.”

The mandatory requirements included: Proof of a wholly owned Ghanaian-registered company with registration documents indicating current directors, shareholdings, and beneficial ownership; Valid tax clearance certificate; Valid SSNIT clearance certificate; Valid VAT clearance certificate; Valid certificate of incorporation; and Payment of the application fee of GHS100,000.00.

Following verification, only Engineers and Planners Ltd and Heath Goldfields Ltd met the mandatory requirements; Maripoma Mining Services Ltd and Vortex Resources Mining Group were disqualified as non-responsive for failing to submit the required documents.

Accordingly, pursuant to Regulation 260(7) of LI 2176, the two (2) responsive tenders were submitted to the Tender Committee for technical and financial evaluation. Following the technical assessment, Heath Goldfields Ltd failed to attain the minimum qualifying score of 80%, and its financial proposal was therefore not evaluated, in line with the Notice.

The Ministry commends the Commission, particularly the members of the Tender Committee, for their dedication to this critical national assignment, and reiterates the Government’s commitment to the Damang Mine’s continued contribution to Ghana’s economy.

The Minerals Commission is therefore tasked with taking all necessary regulatory measures to implement this approval, the Minister’s statement concluded.

The tender, conducted under Regulation 258 of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2176), attracted four companies. After what officials described as a comprehensive evaluation of financial strength, technical capacity, and operational readiness, E&P stood out as the preferred bidder, leading to the recommendation for the grant of the mining lease.

Following an initial screening by the Mineral Titles Department, two firms were shortlisted for detailed assessment by the Tender Committee.

The process is part of wider efforts by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission to promote efficiency, transparency, and value maximisation in the management of Ghana’s mineral resources.

E&P’s selection did not come as a surprise to industry watchers. Months earlier, Gold Fields had explicitly endorsed the Ghanaian contractor as the most capable entity to sustain operations at Damang.

In a letter dated November 11, 2025, addressed to Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Gold Fields described E&P as highly experienced and deeply familiar with the mine’s operating environment.

The letter, signed by Elliot Twum and copied to Isaac Tandoh and Mike Fraser, outlined a transition roadmap and emphasised that E&P, as the incumbent contractor, possessed the technical depth and institutional knowledge required to ensure seamless continuity.

Gold Fields stressed that, regardless of whether the mine was handed over to a new owner or taken over by the government, E&P would be central to sustaining operations, given its unmatched familiarity with Damang’s geology, systems, and workforce.

E&P’s suitability is underpinned by nearly a decade of hands-on operational experience at Damang, where it has served as the primary mining contractor since 2016.

Crucially, E&P owns all the heavy-duty mining equipment deployed at both Damang and Tarkwa, giving it a significant logistical and operational edge. This ownership eliminates dependency risks and ensures immediate continuity of operations during a transition.

E&P’s embedded presence within the mine’s operational ecosystem, spanning geology, production systems, workforce coordination, and equipment management, places it in a uniquely advantageous position compared to any new entrant.

Industry experts argue that this level of familiarity drastically reduces transition risks, making E&P the most practical and cost-effective choice for full operational control.

As far back as 2022, E&P had begun exploring avenues to acquire the asset or its underlying shareholding structure.

At that time, it was already deeply involved in operations at Damang, which gave it both insight and confidence to pursue ownership.

The first major turning point occurred on 4 September 2023, when Gold Fields issued a notice of demobilisation to E&P, indicating plans to wind down active mining operations at Damang.

The directive revealed that pit mining would end by December 2023, with the company shifting to processing stockpiles until the mine’s projected closure in 2025.

Rather than retreat, E&P responded decisively. Within weeks, E&P formally wrote to Gold Fields requesting to purchase the Damang Mine, a bold move that signalled its transition from contractor to prospective owner.

In a subsequent communication, Gold Fields indicated it was still assessing its strategic options, creating uncertainty over the mine’s future even as demobilisation plans were underway.

Recognising the need for regulatory clearance, E&P engaged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

On March 12, 2024, the Ministry issued a “no objection” letter, confirming it had no reservations about a potential transaction between E&P and Gold Fields, subject to final government approval.

In a letter dated December 8, 2025, Minister Buah acknowledged E&P’s engagement with Gold Fields and formally accepted the company’s inclusion in the transition team.

This marked a critical milestone, effectively recognising E&P as a central player in the Damang Mine’s future.

E&P continued to press its case, requesting formal negotiations to finalise the acquisition. However, by January 2026, the company expressed frustration over the lack of response from Gold Fields despite multiple engagements.

The unfolding developments were further shaped by the government’s decision not to renew Gold Fields’ mining lease for Damang.

Minister Buah clarified that the decision was made because the company failed to meet essential legal requirements, including timely application, sustained investment, and credible long-term plans.

The move signalled a firmer enforcement approach and created an opportunity for a new operator, positioning E&P to now take advantage.

E&P’s potential elevation to full mine operator signifies more than a corporate shift; it marks a strategic turning point for Ghana’s mining industry.

For decades, large-scale mining operations have been dominated by multinational firms, with the country receiving little in return for local and national development.

The possible takeover of Damang by a wholly Ghanaian company would mark a significant shift toward local ownership, capacity building, and value retention.

Experts argue that E&P’s selection would demonstrate that indigenous firms can not only participate in large-scale mining but also lead and manage complex operations efficiently.

Amid concerns over job security, the Minister has assured workers that no layoffs will result from the transition, noting that John Dramani Mahama has directed that employment be safeguarded.