‘Treat Us Fairly’ — Gold Fields CEO appeals to Ghana over Tarkwa lease renewal

Gold Fields CEO Mark Fraser has urged the Ghanaian government to treat the company fairly in its application to renew the mining lease for the Tarkwa Mine.

Speaking during a media roundtable on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Fraser said the company was only seeking treatment consistent with the law and with how other mining companies had been handled.

“Please treat us fairly and in line with what the law establishes, so that we will be considered fairly and reasonably,” Fraser said.

He pointed to recent lease applications involving both local and international companies, which he said had been approved through what he described as a standard process.

“We are certainly asking only to be treated fairly and reasonably, in line with everybody else,” he added.

Fraser also addressed recent court proceedings related to the matter, saying Gold Fields was reviewing a court order issued within the previous one or two weeks.

“The court proceedings are intended to determine whether there is anything due and payable or not,” he said.

However, he described the proceedings as “probably in our view, premature,” adding that the company would examine the matter carefully before deciding on its next steps.

Gold Fields has proposed a long-term development plan for Tarkwa, with an updated mineral reserve indicating 7.4 million ounces of gold could be extracted over a 20-year period. The company has also said further exploration could potentially extend the mine’s life.

Fraser said Gold Fields remained focused on finding a fair and reasonable outcome with the government as it seeks to secure the future of the Tarkwa operation.

Background

Gold Fields’ mining lease for the Tarkwa Mine is due to expire in April 2027, making its renewal a key issue for the future of the operation. The company is seeking a renewal to support its long-term development plans for Tarkwa, including a proposed 20-year mine life backed by about 7.4 million ounces of gold reserves.

Gold Fields has said the proposed development would require more than US$6 billion in capital investment over the 20-year period. The company is therefore engaging the Ghanaian government on the renewal and has called for the process to be handled fairly and in accordance with the law.