Ghanaian businessman and CEO of indigenous mining firm Engineers and Planners Company Limited, Ibrahim Mahama, is on the verge of making history as the first African to lead the Damang Mine, following a recommendation by mining giant Gold Fields.

The deal, which is said to be near completion, is currently awaiting parliamentary approval.

Speaking on Good Evening Ghana on Metro TV, veteran journalist Paul Adom-Otchere confirmed that Gold Fields had recommended Engineers and Planners Company Limited (E&P), a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama since its founding in 1997, to take over operations at Damang Mine.

“Gold Fields recommended Engineers and Planners to continue operating Damang Mine after April 18, 2026. What is left, though, is that the deal must go to Parliament, and Parliament must approve it. I’m sure they will, and then it can proceed,” he said.

Watch as E&P dispatches 30 heavy-duty equipment to Tarkwa to boost operations

Adom-Otchere also emphasised the historic nature of the potential transfer.

“If Ibrahim Mahama gets this, and I believe he will, he will be the first Black person to control a mine. Let’s hope gold prices remain strong so that, 20 years from now, our children will be able to say: ‘In 2026, the first African, a Ghanaian, took over the Damang Mine,’” he added.

E&P, according to multiple reports, is already making major moves to expand its operations at both Tarkwa and Damang.

The indigenous mining firm has dispatched 30 semi-knockdown Caterpillar 785D dump trucks to its Tarkwa base, part of its plan to invest approximately $1.2 billion into its Ghanaian operations.

This follows a previous $650 million commitment in 2018 to strengthen mining capacity at the two sites.

If finalised, the deal would not only mark a significant milestone for Ghana’s mining sector but also underscore the growing role of African-owned firms in leading major mining operations across the continent.

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