Engineers and Planners Wins Damang Mining Lease After $500m Tender Process

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has approved the award of the Damang Mining Lease to Engineers and Planners Ltd, concluding a competitive tender process aimed at extending the operational lifespan of one of Ghana’s major mining assets.

In a press release dated April 7, 2026, the Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, confirmed that he had endorsed the recommendations of a specialised Tender Committee, which identified Engineers and Planners Ltd as the most suitable company to operate the mine for at least the next decade.

The company emerged as the successful bidder from four applicants that submitted proposals before the March 31 deadline. According to the committee, Engineers and Planners was the only bidder that fully met the strict financial requirements, including proof of access to a minimum of $500 million in financing.

The report also highlighted the company’s strong technical understanding of the Damang Mine’s geology and infrastructure, alongside a detailed operational plan designed to sustain production for at least ten years.

The selection process followed a two-stage evaluation framework under Minerals and Mining (General) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176). During the initial mandatory compliance phase which required valid tax, SSNIT, and VAT clearances, as well as payment of an application fee two companies were disqualified.

Maripoma Mining Services Ltd and Vortex Resources Mining Group were deemed non-responsive for failing to submit the required documentation.

This left Engineers and Planners Ltd and Heath Goldfields Ltd for technical evaluation. However, Heath Goldfields did not meet the minimum technical score of 80 percent, resulting in its financial proposal not being opened.

The decision is seen as a significant step for the Damang Mine, which plays an important role in the local economy. By selecting a wholly Ghanaian-owned firm that satisfied international financing standards, the government underscored its commitment to promoting local participation in the mining sector.

The Minerals Commission has been directed to complete the necessary regulatory processes to formalise the approval and facilitate the transition to a new 10-year development plan.