Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine production drops amid lower ore grades, plant downtime

Gold Fields has reported a 25 percent year-on-year decline in gold production at its Tarkwa Mine in Ghana for the first quarter of 2026, citing lower ore grades and operational disruptions.

According to the company’s latest quarterly results, Tarkwa produced 94,000 ounces of gold during the quarter, down from 126,000 ounces recorded in the same period in 2025.

The mining company attributed the decline to lower yield and reduced tonnes milled, as the processing plant treated a higher proportion of low-grade stockpile material instead of higher-grade ex-pit ore. Production was also affected by reduced plant availability following unplanned downtime.

Despite the weaker first-quarter performance, Gold Fields said it remains confident of achieving its full-year production guidance, noting that Tarkwa is implementing a recovery plan aimed at improving output in the coming quarters.

The company indicated that operational challenges also affected its Gruyere and Agnew mines, but stated that recovery measures are underway across the affected operations to support stronger production performance for the remainder of the year.

Gold Fields further reported higher group costs during the quarter due to increased consumable prices, rising royalties linked to stronger gold prices, foreign exchange pressures, and higher capital expenditure.