The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has awarded the Damang Mining Lease to Engineers and Planners Ltd (E&P).
The decision comes after a rigorous and competitive tender process designed to ensure the long-term viability of the mine and its continued contribution to the national economy.
The move aims to revitalize one of Ghana’s most significant mineral assets.
The journey to this announcement began on March 31, 2026, when four major players in the mining industry—including Engineers and Planners Ltd, Heath Goldfields Ltd, Maripoma Mining Services Ltd, and Vortex Resources Mining Group—submitted their bids.
However, the path to the winner’s circle was steep.
The Tender Committee, operating under the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, applied a strict two-phase evaluation process that quickly thinned the herd.
The Ministry revealed that transparency and regulatory compliance were at the heart of the selection.
During the initial screening, Maripoma Mining Services and Vortex Resources were disqualified for failing to meet mandatory requirements, which included essential documentation such as valid tax and SSNIT clearance certificates.
Of the two remaining firms, only Engineers and Planners Ltd successfully crossed the technical threshold.
Heath Goldfields Ltd failed to achieve the minimum qualifying score of 80% during the technical assessment, leaving E&P as the sole responsive bidder to proceed to financial evaluation.
The Tender Committee’s report was emphatic about E&P’s readiness to take the helm at Damang.
The company didn’t just meet the criteria; it exceeded expectations in several key areas.
E&P provided documentary evidence of access to financing that meets the USD 500 million minimum threshold.
The committee also noted the company’s deep-rooted knowledge of the Damang Mine’s unique geology and infrastructure.
Most importantly for the local community, E&P submitted a proposal designed to extend the life of the mine beyond ten years.
“The Company demonstrated the highest capability to operate the Damang mine, substantiated by their submission of the most viable tender,” the Committee stated in its final report.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has formally approved the recommendation.
He has directed the Minerals Commission to take the final regulatory steps to finalize the lease.
In a statement signed on Tuesday, April 7, the Minister commended the Tender Committee for its “dedication to this critical national assignment,” reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s mineral wealth is managed by capable, compliant, and visionary hands.
With E&P now at the wheel, the future of the Damang Mine looks more stable than ever, promising a decade of growth for the industry and the nation.
By 1960news.com
