A “No-Objection” letter issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on March 12, 2024 shows that the attempted acquisition of the Damang Mine by Engineers and Planners Company Limited (E&P) began years ago, contradicting claims that the acquisition process is recent or politically driven.
The letter, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners, formally conveyed the ministry’s position that it had no objection to the Ghanaian mining firm entering into negotiations with Gold Fields Limited for the purpose of acquiring shares in the Damang Mine.
It followed an application by E&P dated March 8, 2024, submitted pursuant to Section 100(2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which requires ministerial approval for the transfer of mining interests.
The letter, signed on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources by the Chief Director, Professor Patrick K. Agbesinyale, was explicit in its limitations as it cleared the path for negotiations between the parties, but however stated that the Government of Ghana retained full authority to approve or reject any eventual transaction.
It further clarified that any agreement between E&P and Gold Fields would have no legal effect unless they are expressly approved by the government, as no agreement would be approved without government consent.
The ministry further indicated in the letter that its position was informed by advice from the Minerals Commission, which noted E&P’s considerable experience in mining and its existing role as a contractor at the Damang Mine, stating that the letter titled ‘No-Objection’ was issued at the request of Gold Fields, which asked E&P to secure ministerial backing after the Ghanaian firm formally expressed interest in taking over the mine.
Groundwork Laid In 2022
Before the issuance of the ‘No-Objection’ letter, documents show that E&P had begun positioning itself to take over the Damang asset as far back as 2022.
At the time, the company was already operating at the mine as a contractor, providing mining services and building in-depth knowledge of the site’s geology and operational systems, giving E&P strategic advantage due to its early involvement in the operations at the Damang Mine.
This indicates that discussions around the possible transition of Damang Mine to a Ghanaian operator were already in circulation during that period, with E&P tipped to be considered for a take over as a result of its long-standing presence on site.
A major turning point occurred in September 2023, DAILY GUIDE learnt, when Gold Fields formally signaled its intention to wind down active mining operations at Damang. In a letter dated September 4, 2023, titled “Notice of Demobilisation,” the company instructed E&P to begin withdrawing its equipment from the site.
E&P Responds With Acquisition Proposal
Rather than comply with the demobilisation directive without question, E&P responded with a bold strategic move in a letter dated September 25, 2023, the company formally wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields, expressing its interest in acquiring the Damang Mine, which showed a significant shift in ambition from a contract mining firm to a potential mine owner.
Documents revealed that on September 29, 2023, Gold Fields indicated via email that it was still assessing its options regarding the future of the Damang Mine. The email, by Jacob Ricciardone, Acting Executive Vice-President for Strategy and Corporate Development, stated that the company would communicate its decision once internal assessments were complete.
Formal Engagement With Govt In 2024
The process entered a more formal phase in early 2024 when E&P extended its efforts to acquire the Damang Mine by engaging the government. Recognising that any transfer of mining rights required state approval, the company applied for a ‘No-Objection’ letter from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as an essential step in legitimising negotiations with Gold Fields.
In a letter dated November 11, 2025, titled “Checklist of Recommendations for the Transition and Future Operations of the Damang Mine,” Gold Fields acknowledged E&P’s operational experience at the site, as the letter was copied to key stakeholders including the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission and Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields, Mike Fraser.
Further confirmation of E&P’s involvement in the acquisition process was brought to the fore in December 2025, which stated that on December 8, 2025, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged that E&P had engaged Gold Fields, aimed at acquiring its shares in the Damang Mine.
Information available indicates that the minister also accepted a recommendation by Gold Fields to include E&P in the mine’s transition team, effectively formalising the company’s role in the process and recognising it as a key stakeholder in the transition.
Taken together, the documentary trail reveals a process that has evolved over several years, involving formal correspondence, regulatory approvals and strategic positioning by E&P.
Far from being a sudden or politically driven development, the company’s interest in the Damang Mine can be traced back to at least 2022, when it began exploring acquisition possibilities while operating as a contractor on site. The March 2024 ‘No-Objection’ letter stands as a central milestone in that journey, one that not only legitimised negotiations but also reaffirmed the government’s ultimate authority over the transaction.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah