A new chapter has opened at the Damang Mine as Engineers and Planners Limited steps in to run one of Ghana’s key gold assets, with its CEO, Ibrahim Mahama, promising a surge of development projects to reshape nearby communities and energise local commerce.
The takeover follows the end of the lease held by Gold Fields Ghana Limited, with the concession reassigned after a competitive process overseen by the Minerals Commission. The transition signals a notable shift toward local ownership in the management of a major mining operation.
At a ceremony held at the site on Saturday, April 18, 2026, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah formally handed over the mine, marking the start of operations under a fully Ghanaian-owned firm.
Addressing attendees after the handover, Mr Mahama laid out plans that stretch beyond extraction, placing infrastructure and community investment at the centre of the company’s agenda.
“I want to pledge this, and I want to say it for everybody to hear. I got a text from one of our young men in here. It says we should build astroturfs for all the communities, which we’re looking to do,” he said.
He indicated that transport upgrades are already under consideration as part of efforts to unlock growth and improve mobility in the area.
“We’ve applied for Damang to have an airport, and within six months, Damang will have an airport, such that we can fly to Accra easily. In the next two years, we’ll be able to drive from here to Cape Coast on a concrete road or a natural road,” he added.
Mr Mahama insisted the proposals are grounded in action rather than rhetoric. “I beg you, this is not political talk. This is real talk,” he said.
He framed the takeover as more than a business move, describing it as a demonstration of Ghanaian capability in managing large-scale mining ventures while delivering measurable benefits to host communities.
“I would say that, look, if we all put our minds together, this is a success story. And the plan I have for Damang Mine is not a joke. I just want to prove that we can invest in ourselves in this country,” he said.
Situated in the Western Region, the Damang Mine has played a central role in Ghana’s gold industry for over 20 years. Its lease expired in April 2025, with the government granting a one-year extension to allow for a structured transition ahead of the April 2026 handover.
Rather than renew the previous agreement, authorities opened the concession to competitive bidding as part of a broader push to increase indigenous participation in the extractive sector. Engineers and Planners secured the deal after meeting strict technical, financial and regulatory benchmarks, including proof of access to at least $500 million in funding.
Officials say the transition is expected to maintain output levels, safeguard employment and deepen local ownership in the mining industry, while the incoming operator’s development-focused approach could reshape engagement between mining firms and their host communities.
