Amid the debate over the issues surrounding the Damang Mine, a youth group from the local community has publicly thrown its support behind the government’s decision not to renew Gold Fields Limited’s mining lease.
The group, calling itself the Concerned Youth of the Damang Mine Catchment Area, says the government’s decision to take over the mine is warmly welcomed.
The youth recounts that Gold Fields’ decades of operation in Damang have resulted in numerous unmet promises, poor community relations, and minimal development in the communities, hence their firm endorsement of the takeover.
In a press statement cited by The High Street Journal, the concerned youth group stated that “After 25 years of mining activities in our area, the evidence overwhelmingly shows that the company’s operations have brought limited benefits to the local communities.”
“The current state of affairs raises critical questions about Goldfields’ commitment to community development, operational sustainability, and responsible corporate citizenship,” they added.
They are therefore commending the Government of Ghana for its bold and principled decision not to extend the mining lease of Gold Fields Ghana at Damang.
Meanwhile, Gold Fields Ghana Limited, after failing to renew its lease, per the government’s communication, is expected to exit the mine today, Friday, April 18, 2025.
The government is set to take over the mine tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, 2025.
As Gold Fields Ghana makes its official exit from the Damang Mine today, the youth of the catchment area see this moment as a turning point in the natural resource management of the area.
Their hope is renewed that the change is going to uplift the communities in the catchment area.
“The people of the Damang catchment area deserve better. We are not opposed to mining, but we demand a mining partnership that respects, uplifts, and invests in the communities it affects,” the youth indicated.
Despite the support of the youth group, energy think tank, ACEP, and the Ghana Mine Workers Union, are kicking against the takeover by the government, citing legal, investor, capital injection, and welfare of workers concerns.
