The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah, has explained the government’s decision to reject the renewal of Gold Fields’ mining lease for the Damang Mine.

According to him, the company failed to meet the necessary renewal requirements, prompting the government’s decision.

This clarification comes after several industry players called on the government to provide a categorical explanation for the rejection of Gold Fields' lease after 30 years of operation.

The company’s current lease is set to expire on April 18, 2025.

Speaking at a press conference on April 16, 2025, the minister said, “Gold Fields has failed to allocate any budget for exploration at Damang for the past two years. In essence, the company was not prepared, as required by law, to expend resources on exploration activities to discover new ore bodies or convert existing mineral resources into mineral reserves to support a mining program or operation.

“This lack of investment raises serious concerns about the company’s commitment to sustainable mining practices and the long-term viability of this particular mine,” he stated.

SSD/MA

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