The Ghana government takes control of Damang mine operated by Gold Fields    

Ghana has assumed operational control of Gold Fields’ Damang mine after it rejected an application from the South African company to renew its lease, the ministry of lands and natural resources said in a statement on Wednesday.

Johannesburg-based Gold Fields said that it had unsuccessfully applied to extend the Damang lease, which is due to expire on April 18, and was winding down operations as a result. It was only processing stockpiles at Damang after ceasing mining operations in 2023, although it had committed to exit the operation in an orderly way as part of its end-of-life plan.

The government said its decision to take control was based on a series of regulatory and operational shortcomings, including Gold Fields’ failure to declare verifiable mineral reserves in its lease renewal application, and the absence of a required technical program detailing past and future mining activities.