Damang Gold Mine Limited has extracted over 11 millions of tonnes of fresh material since assuming operations in April 2026, with management insisting that active mining, rather than dependence on existing stockpiles, is driving the mine’s current operations.

The mine’s Manager in charge of Mining, Frank Dankyi Agyei, disclosed that the company had recorded substantial new mining volumes across its operations since the transition.

The figures were presented to counter claims that the mine was relying largely on stockpiles accumulated before the change in management, with Mr Agyei explaining that newly mined material accounted for 60 per cent of the ore being processed, while stockpiles made up the remaining 40 per cent.

He said active mining was continuing at multiple pits, supported

by the deployment of excavators, haul trucks and other heavy equipment to sustain extraction and ore movement.

The company’s reported monthly figures indicate an increase in mining volumes from more than 647,000 tonnes between April 19 and 30 to 1.4 million tonnes in May, 1.6 million tonnes in June, two million tonnes in July, 2.45 million tonnes in August and three million tonnes in September.

The monthly figures provided by management point to a substantial ramp-up in activity during the period, with September recording the highest reported volume.

However, the monthly figures add up to approximately 11.1 million tonnes, rather than eight million tonnes as stated in the initial aggregate figure. The discrepancy requires clarification by the company.

Mr Agyei said the deployment of equipment across the Amoanda and Juno pits demonstrated that the mine was actively extracting fresh material rather than depending exclusively on ore mined before Engineers and Planners took over operations.

Heavy equipment deployed across pits

To support its mining programme, Damang has deployed at least nine excavators across the Amoanda and Juno pits, alongside an operating fleet of approximately 50 to 57 haul trucks, including Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) and Caterpillar 777 trucks.

At the Amoanda pits, two Liebherr 9400 excavators are being used for active mining, supported by a Hitachi EX2000 and a Kattega excavator.

The expanded Amoanda Pit is expected to have a strike length of approximately 1.8 kilometres, reflecting the scale of the mining area being developed.

At the Juno pits, the equipment includes 9350 excavators numbered 88 and 89, excavator 99, a Hitachi EX870 numbered 105, excavator 114 and a Pulse excavator numbered 83.

The equipment deployment is intended to support the extraction of fresh ore and the movement of material from active mining areas to processing operations.

The presence of several excavators across the two pit areas also points to the company’s efforts to sustain activity across multiple mining fronts rather than depend on a single operational area.

More trucks being prepared for deployment

Mr Agyei further disclosed that 12 additional dump trucks previously used at Tarkwa Mine had been transferred to Damang for repairs before being deployed to support operations.

The addition of the trucks is expected to strengthen the mine’s haulage capacity, which is essential for transporting material from excavation sites and sustaining the movement of ore and waste.

The mine’s equipment expansion forms part of broader efforts by the new operator to improve operational capacity and sustain mining activity following the takeover.

The company has also outlined plans to bring in additional trucks to reinforce its fleet as operations expand.

The availability of excavators and haul trucks is central to the mine’s ability to maintain extraction volumes, particularly as it develops active pits and seeks to increase the quantity of freshly mined material supplied for processing.

Community engagement after takeover

The disclosures were made during a public forum organised by Asempa FM to assess the performance of Damang Gold Mine Limited during its first six months under the new operator and to provide a platform for residents of host communities to raise concerns.

Company officials used the forum to update residents on mining operations, equipment deployment and other developments since the takeover.

Damang Mine was formerly operated by Gold Fields Ghana Limited. After the expiration of Gold Fields’ mining lease, the concession was subjected to a competitive tender process supervised by the Minerals Commission.

Engineers and Planners won the bid, and the mine was officially handed over on April 18, 2026, at a ceremony led by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

Since assuming operations, the new management has sought to demonstrate that mining activity is continuing through fresh extraction, alongside the processing of material already stockpiled at the site.

The figures disclosed by Mr Agyei, together with the deployment of equipment across the Amoanda and Juno pits, form part of the company’s case that active mining remains central to its operations.

The reported extraction volumes, however, will require reconciliation to establish a consistent total for the period, given the difference between the stated aggregate and the sum of the monthly figures.