Engineers and Planners Ltd (E&P), the wholly Ghanaian-owned company founded by Ibrahim Mahama, has been awarded the Damang Mining Lease after beating stiff competition in a high-stakes $500 million tender.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced the decision today, confirming that E&P emerged as the clear winner from four companies that submitted bids.
The tender was designed to breathe new life into the Damang Mine and keep it operating for at least another decade.
According to the official evaluation, E&P was the only bidder that fully met the tough financial requirements — proving it had access to the full $500 million minimum financing needed.
The company also impressed evaluators with its deep technical understanding of the mine’s geology and infrastructure, and it presented the strongest plan to sustain operations long-term.
Two other firms, Maripoma Mining Services Ltd and Vortex Resources Mining Group, were disqualified early for failing to provide basic mandatory documents such as tax clearances and the required application fee.
The remaining competitor, Heath Goldfields Ltd, fell short on the technical score and never even had its financial bid opened.Mines Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said the selection process was fair, transparent and strictly followed the rules under the Minerals and Mining Act.
He described E&P’s proposal as the most viable and capable of securing the future of the historic Damang Mine.The award is being welcomed as a major boost for local content in Ghana’s mining industry.
By handing the lease to a fully Ghanaian company that met international financing standards, the government has signalled its commitment to both industrial stability and giving home-grown firms a bigger role in the sector.
The Minerals Commission has been directed to fast-track all remaining regulatory steps so the new 10-year development plan can begin without delay.For the people of Damang and surrounding communities, the decision brings hope of sustained jobs, investment and economic activity after years of uncertainty about the mine’s future. E&P now has the green light to take over and keep one of Ghana’s important gold operations running strong for the next decade and beyond.