Gold Fields ignored Damang lease extension talks – Minerals Commission

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the minerals commission, Isaac Tandoh, has disclosed that Gold Fields Limited failed to comply with explicit directions to engage the commission concerning the extension of its Damang Mining Lease, which is set to expire on April 18, 2025.

This revelation follows the decision of the government to reject the mining giant’s application for a lease extension and its directive for the company to cease operations and vacate the site upon expiration of the current charter.  

The evolvement has mold incertitude over the future of one of Ghana’s most established gold mining operations.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Mr. Tandoh stated that Gold Fields was instructed to present improved terms that would ensure better value for Ghanaians but instead bypassed the Minerals Commission and communicated directly with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

He said, “When we met the minister, he said that we cannot continue this as business as usual, we need to get value for money. So, if you have any better proposition for Ghanaians, go and sit with the Minerals Commission, but that has not happened. Instead, they were writing letters to the minister here and there. It was a clear instruction”.

In response, Gold Fields has indicated that it is still engaging with government authorities to reach a solution that serves all parties.

In a statement Gold Fields stated that, “The Company continues to seek ongoing engagement with the Government to secure the best outcome for all stakeholders”.

Although they were encouraged to approach the Minerals Commission with a better proposal for Ghana, they did not do so; instead, they opted to write letters, the tone of which may raise concerns when eventually reviewed.