The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in Ghana’s extractive sector, announcing that the Damang Mining Lease will be awarded to Engineers and Planners Ltd (E&P) following a competitive tender process.
In a press release dated April 7, 2026, the Ministry disclosed that it had received and approved the recommendations of the Minerals Commission’s Tender Committee, constituted under the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2176). The decision, according to the Ministry, was based on a rigorous evaluation process guided by established legal and technical criteria.
The statement explained that E&P emerged as the highest-ranked bidder after satisfying all mandatory requirements and demonstrating strong financial and technical capacity. According to the Tender Committee, the company “satisfied all mandatory requirements set out in the Notice and provided documentary evidence of access to financing, meeting the USD 500 million minimum threshold.”
The Committee further highlighted the company’s operational readiness and long-term vision for the Damang Mine, noting that its proposal included plans to extend the mine’s life significantly. It added that E&P’s submission reflected “experience and knowledge relevant to the operations, infrastructure, and geology of the Damang Mine.”
Summarising its evaluation, the Committee stated:
“On the basis of the applicable evaluation criteria and scoring, the tender submitted by Engineers and Planners Ltd attained the highest evaluated score. In summary, the Company demonstrated the highest capability to operate the Damang mine, substantiated by their submission of the most viable tender.”
Out of four companies that submitted bids before the March 31 deadline, only two—E&P and Heath Goldfields Ltd—met the initial mandatory requirements. The other bidders, Maripoma Mining Services Ltd and Vortex Resources Mining Group, were disqualified for failing to provide required documentation.
Following technical assessments, Heath Goldfields Ltd did not meet the minimum qualifying score of 80%, effectively leaving E&P as the sole technically compliant bidder proceeding to the final stage.
The Ministry commended the Minerals Commission and members of the Tender Committee for their diligence, describing the process as critical to safeguarding national interest. It also reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the Damang Mine continues to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economy.
The statement concluded with a directive for the Minerals Commission to proceed with all necessary regulatory steps to formalise the lease award.
