Engineers & Planners seeks roughly $740 million from Gold Fields over Tarkwa and Damang contracts

Engineers & Planners (E&P), owned by Ghanaian billionaire Ibrahim Mahama, has started arbitration in Ghana seeking $474.9 million for work at the Tarkwa mine and $264.7 million for the Damang mine, totalling about $740 million. Gold Fields Ltd. has rejected the claim and says it will settle the dispute orderly while keeping Tarkwa operating. The Tarkwa leases are due for renewal in April 2027, and the Damang lease expired in April 2025 before being awarded to E&P in a tender. An airstrip at Damang is projected to cost at least $80 million.

Gold Fields describes the dispute as a material uncertainty for investors, potentially affecting the valuation of its Ghana operations. The outcome could influence future lease renewals and the financial exposure of both parties.

  • 1E&P is seeking $474.9 million for work at Tarkwa and $264.7 million for work at Damang, about $740 million in total.
  • 2The arbitration claim was formally initiated in March and is being heard in Ghana.
  • 3Gold Fields rejected the claims and said it is committed to an orderly settlement while keeping Tarkwa running.
  • 4Tarkwa mine leases expire in April 2027, and Gold Fields Ghana has applied early for renewal.
  • 5Damang lease expired in April 2025; after a one‑year extension the mine was tendered to Ghanaian‑owned companies, with E&P winning the contract on 18 April.
  • 6The airstrip project at Damang is expected to cost at least $80 million.

Sources