As Gold Fields Ghana prepares to conclude its landmark three-decade tenure, stakeholders are urging the government to navigate the transition with surgical precision.
The prevailing sentiment among industry experts is clear: the next chapter must be led by an investor who possesses both the specialized experience and the robust financial capacity to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands.
Adding his voice to the conversation, Frank Denkyi Agyei, Mining Manager at the Gold Fields Damang Mine, issued a clarion call to the government.
He emphasized that when awarding the takeover contract, the priority must be a partner who truly “knows the terrain” one capable of maintaining operational excellence while honoring the deep-rooted community ties established over the last 30 years.
“It is imperative for government to award the Damang mining takeover to an experienced company that understands the dynamics of the sector and has the requisite capacity to manage mining operations,” Mr. Agyei emphasized during a recent interaction.
His concern is rooted in pragmatism. As the state prepares to take the reins, Mr. Agyei stressed the importance of retaining the existing workforce approximately 1,500 skilled workers warning that a disruption in management could lead to massive job losses contrary to the government’s stated goals.
Far from being a spent force, the Damang Mine holds significant untapped potential. Mr. Agyei revealed that the site has the capacity to thrive for another eight to ten years beyond the current lease expiration.
“At the current phase, we are looking at reviving the mine to about another eight to ten years of life beyond the April 17 and 18 lease. That is what the potential is,” he stated.
To achieve this, he highlighted a critical logistical detail: the specialized equipment currently operating in the pit is owned by Engineers and Planners (E&P).
“All the excavators you see here were bought new for this project,” he explained. “It is important that if for any reason this project has to be continued, the one that is currently operating here continues. Why? Because you cannot walk into any factory to procure any piece of this equipment in the next six months. Nobody manufactures and stores them; you only need to procure it in advance.”
The transition is not just about machinery; it is about people. Mr. Agyei noted that while the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has assured job security during the transition, maintaining the current operational contractor is the only way to guarantee that promise.
“If Engineers and Planners are asked to leave the site, it means the majority of workers will lose their jobs, which is contrary to what the minister has envisioned,” he warned.
He argued that continuity is essential to preserving the specialized knowledge required for complex tasks such as drilling and blasting.
“It will be difficult to get the mining professionals who know the dynamics of the Damang mines,” he said. “That is the reason why government should maintain the contractor who has worked in this mine before because he knows how we do our drilling and blasting, among other things and also to avoid disrupting mining operations.”
Gold Fields is concluding its 30-year operational history at Damang, officially handing over the mine to the Ghanaian government following a 12-month extension granted in 2025.
The government’s intent is clear keep the mine operational to sustain employment, keep the local economy vibrant, and ensure that Damang continues to contribute robustly to national export earnings.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
