The Minerals Commission has rejected claims of favouritism in the award of the Damang mining lease to Engineers and Planners Limited (E&P) describing the process as transparent.
E&P secured the lease after emerging as the winner of a tender process involving three other companies, including Heath Goldfields, Maripoma Mining Services Ltd, and Vortex Resources Mining Group.
According to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, E&P provided documented evidence of access to financing that met the USD 500 million minimum threshold required for the project.
The Acting Director of Legal Affairs at the Minerals Commission, Joseph Iroko, told the media that all bids were evaluated using identical criteria, with no preferential treatment given to any applicant.
“The committee went into this work without regard for anybody’s last name…the committee was guided by the tender notice guidelines published by the Minister as per Regulation 2584 of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176). The Minister published the notice and clearly outlined the criteria that any bidder must meet,” he said.
Iroko emphasised that the entire process followed the provisions of the regulations and was open to public scrutiny.
The Damang Mine, a key gold mining asset, was put up for tender following the expiry of the previous lease.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
