• Gold Fields’ gold production in Ghana fell 10% in the first half of 2025 to 284,600 ounces.
• Damang mine, in its final year of life, could see an extension under a new agreement with the Ghanaian government.
• Gold Fields forecasts lower output at both Tarkwa and Damang in 2025, aligned with its stripping and stockpile programmes.

Gold Fields, Africa’s largest gold producer, reported a 10% fall in Ghanaian output in the first half of 2025. The South African miner said its Tarkwa and Damang mines delivered 284,600 ounces, down from 319,600 ounces in the same period last year.

The company published the figures in its activity report on Friday, August 22.

At Tarkwa, production dropped to 232,900 ounces, compared with 247,700 ounces a year earlier. The mine produced 126,300 ounces in the first quarter and 106,600 ounces in the second quarter.

Damang output slid from 71,900 ounces in the first half of 2024 to 51,700 ounces this year.

Gold Fields said the results match its forecasts, which anticipated lower output in 2025. At Tarkwa, annual production is projected to fall to 488,000 ounces, down from 537,000 ounces in 2024. The decline reflects a stripping programme now underway.

Damang, which has been running on ore stockpiles, is expected to deliver only 85,000 ounces this year, compared with 135,000 ounces in 2024. The mine is currently in what was meant to be its final year of operation.

Despite the expected decline, Gold Fields highlighted progress at Damang. The company signed a transitional management agreement with the Ghanaian government in April to explore extending the mine’s life. Mining activities resumed at the site in June, and a feasibility study is underway to assess the possibility of prolonging operations.

It remains too early to measure the impact of this new strategy on Damang’s performance and on Gold Fields’ overall Ghanaian output. The company said upcoming operational updates will be decisive.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou