The Government of Ghana has formally taken over operations of the Damang Gold Mine in the Western Region, following its decision not to renew the 30-year mining lease granted to Abosso Goldfields Limited, a subsidiary of South Africa’s Gold Fields Limited. The lease is set to expire on April 18, 2025. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the government described the move as part of a broader economic reform strategy aimed at increasing national ownership and benefits from natural resources, particularly in the gold sector.
Officials cited “robust empirical evidence” supporting the decision, emphasizing that Ghana must transition from being a mere resource supplier to becoming a more active participant in the gold value chain. The government assured that mining operations would continue uninterrupted, with over 1,300 jobs protected and all valid service and supply contracts honored. The Damang Mine, operated by Gold Fields since the late 1990s, has produced over 4 million ounces of gold to date and was part of the company’s larger Ghanaian portfolio, which includes the Tarkwa mine — currently the largest in the country.
The ministry added that the state will fully comply with legal, labor, and fiscal obligations, and intends to ensure that the mine’s revenues are channeled into national development priorities, including infrastructure, education, and community livelihoods. The move comes amid growing calls across Africa for resource nationalism, where countries seek greater control and value from their natural resources.
