The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, (Small Scale and Industrial Minerals), Isaac Andrews Tandoh, has stated that the government is poised to run the operations of the Damang Gold Mine.
This comes after the Government announced his decision not to renew Gold Fields’ Damang mining lease, which expires on April 18, 2025.
Mr. Tandoh speaking on Citi Breakfast show, mentioned that several mines within Damang were largely operated by Ghanaians.
Although, claims that Ghanaians lack the technical know-how for the job were in accurate.
“In all the meetings I have been in and all the discussions I have had, we are looking at the state running the mine. No individual will be made to do that,” he said.
The whole of the Damang stretch is run by only one expatriate. In Tarkwa, Ghanaians are running the mines, and the same applies to Ahafo. So, the issue of human capacity or technical know-how is neither here nor there,” he added.
The decision not to renew the mining lease comes as the current 30-year old lease, originally granted on April 18,1995, is set to expire on April 18, 2025.
The Government has stated that this move aligns with it’s broader mission to reset the nations economic landscape.
A 2023 annual report by Gold Fields revealed that the mining in Damang ended in 2023 after the depletion of the Huni pits.
According to reports, the mine intended to process stockpiles until the end of 2025.