Damang Gold Mine Limited (DGML) has employed nearly 400 individuals from local communities within its first four months of operation. This significant recruitment drive, coupled with the initiation of key infrastructure projects, has garnered praise from chiefs, opinion leaders, and youth representatives in the Damang Gold Mine catchment area.
Of the nearly 400 candidates in the recruitment pipeline, 180 have already started working. Another 135 candidates are undergoing pre-employment medical examinations and induction processes. A further 85 candidates await interview results for various roles, including maintenance, heavy-duty driving, security, and general hands. DGML assumed responsibility for the Damang Mine on April 18, 2026, and is actively building its workforce.
This early progress aligns with Ghana's broader economic strategy to promote indigenous ownership and local content in key sectors. The emphasis on local employment by DGML addresses a persistent demand from mining communities. These communities have long advocated for tangible economic opportunities for residents living in areas affected by mining operations. The commitment to source 60% of DGML's employees from local communities, with the remaining 40% from external sources, marks a significant shift from previous practices.
Nana Kwabena Amponsah IV, Chief of the Bosomtwi Divisional Council, expressed the communities' encouragement at a recent press conference. He highlighted the recruitment of over 400 people, including those from catchment communities, as a positive development. Nana Amponsah IV also praised the involvement of Ghanaian professionals in key positions, seeing it as evidence of local capacity in the mining industry.
Beyond immediate employment, communities seek long-term benefits through skills development, training, and career progression. They urge DGML to complement recruitment with sustained programs to enhance residents' livelihoods. Additionally, they advocate for increased involvement of local businesses and contractors in the mine's procurement and supply chain. This approach aims to extend the economic benefits of indigenous ownership beyond the mining asset itself to workers, suppliers, and host communities.
Alongside employment gains, DGML has commenced several infrastructure projects. The proposed construction of an airstrip at the Huni waste dump is a notable example. DGML has completed the design for this facility, and initial earthworks have begun. The project is now engaging with regulatory bodies like the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal Assembly. This regulatory engagement is crucial for ensuring technical, safety, and planning standards are met for the airstrip, which will serve operational needs and potentially improve regional connectivity.
Road infrastructure, a long-standing concern, is also seeing progress. Works have started on the Damang-to-Subri section of the Damang-Subri-Praso-Cape Coast road corridor. Initial activities involve clearing road fringes to prepare for construction. These infrastructure developments demonstrate DGML's commitment to moving from promises to tangible implementation. The communities anticipate the full completion of these projects, which are vital for local economic activity and connectivity.