A New Era for Ghanaian Mining: Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners Officially Takes Control of Damang Mine

In a landmark moment for Ghana’s extractive industry, indigenous mining firm Engineers and Planners (E&P) officially assumed control of the Damang Mine on April 18, 2026. The transition follows the successful bid by E&P to take over the concession from Gold Fields Ghana Limited, which had operated the site for over two decades. The handover ceremony, officiated by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, signifies a strategic shift toward increasing local ownership and participation in large-scale mining operations. This move follows a competitive tender process overseen by the Minerals Commission, where E&P emerged as the successful bidder based on its robust financial standing and extensive operational experience.

Ibrahim Mahama, CEO of Engineers and Planners, clarified that the acquisition was not a spontaneous ambition but the result of structured negotiations initiated after Gold Fields announced plans to wind down operations in 2022. Mahama emphasized that after 30 years of serving as mining contractors, it was imperative for Ghanaian firms to transition into mine ownership to demonstrate local capacity and self-reliance. He expressed profound gratitude to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his pivotal role in facilitating the negotiations and the government’s intervention, which included the issuance of a crucial no-objection letter that paved the way for the historic takeover.

To support the mine’s future development and sustain regional production, Engineers and Planners secured over $1 billion in financing from a consortium of local and international banks. Mahama has pledged that the revenues generated from the mine will be reinvested locally to foster socio-economic growth. He announced an ambitious infrastructure development plan that includes the construction of an airport within six months and a concrete road connecting Damang to Cape Coast within two years. Additionally, the company intends to invest in healthcare facilities, sports infrastructure like astroturfs, and residential projects for the community, marking a long-term commitment to the region.

The takeover of the Damang Mine is expected to safeguard thousands of jobs and ensure the continued contribution of the asset to the national economy. By moving from a service-provider model to full-scale ownership, Engineers and Planners aims to set a precedent for other indigenous companies in the mining sector. As the company begins full-scale operations, the focus remains on proving that Ghanaian management can meet international standards of efficiency while ensuring that a larger share of mineral wealth remains within the country to benefit local communities and the broader national development agenda.