E&P Secures Damang Mine Lease After Competitive Tender; Rivals Disqualified and Outscored
Government has approved the award of the Damang mining lease to Engineers and Planners Ltd (E&P) after a competitive tender process that saw two firms disqualified at the preliminary stage and one failing to meet the minimum technical threshold.
The decision, announced in a press release by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources follows the submission of a report by a Tender Committee constituted by the Minerals Commission under the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2176).
According to the Ministry, E&P emerged as the highest-ranked bidder after satisfying all mandatory requirements and attaining the top score in the combined technical and financial evaluation. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources subsequently approved the Committee’s recommendation and directed the Commission to take the necessary regulatory steps to formalise the lease.
The Ministry disclosed that E&P demonstrated strong financial capacity, providing evidence of access to funding above the minimum requirement of US$500 million. The company also submitted a development plan considered robust, including proposals aimed at extending the operational life of the Damang mine by more than a decade.
A total of four კომპანიessubmitted bids by the March 31, 2026 deadline—Vortex Resources Mining Group, Engineers and Planners Ltd, Heath Goldfields Ltd, and Maripoma Mining Services Ltd. However, only E&P and Heath Goldfields advanced beyond the initial screening stage after meeting the mandatory criteria.
Vortex Resources Mining Group and Maripoma Mining Services Ltd were disqualified for failing to provide required documentation, including proof of Ghanaian ownership, beneficial ownership details, and valid statutory clearances such as tax, SSNIT and VAT certificates.
Although Heath Goldfields Ltd passed the preliminary stage, it failed to achieve the minimum technical score of 80 percent during the detailed evaluation, leading to the exclusion of its financial proposal from further consideration.
The Ministry emphasised that the tender process adhered strictly to regulatory requirements, including provisions on ownership structure, financial capability and technical competence. It added that the evaluation was conducted in line with established guidelines to ensure transparency and competitiveness.
Government commended the Minerals Commission and the Tender Committee for what it described as a diligent execution of a critical national assignment, reiterating its commitment to ensuring the Damang mine continues to contribute significantly to Ghana’s economic growth.
The Minerals Commission has been directed to proceed with all necessary regulatory processes to give effect to the approval, paving the way for E&P to assume operational control of the mine.
