Gold Fields Ghana Limited has appointed Engineer Catherine Kuupol-Kuutor as General Manager of its Tarkwa Mine in the Western Region.
Ms Kuupol-Kuutor becomes the first Ghanaian to assume the General Manager position in the mining industry.
In an official statement announcing her appointment, Gold Fields Ghana said Ms Kuupol-Kuutor would be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of all mine areas in accordance with minerals and mining regulations.
Her latest appointment, according to the statement, “is a significant step for gender equity and inclusion.”
Catherine Kuupol-Kuutor who was appointed together with Sampson Arthur – as the Operations Manager for Damang Mines would be reporting to Elliot Twum who has also been appointed Vice President and Interim Managing Director for Gold Fields.
The appointment of the trio took effect on 1 May 2024.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gold Fields Mike Fraser welcomed the new leadership team and noted that the three executives have risen through its ranks and understand the business well.
He was confident they are the right leaders, as Gold Fields Ghana implements a new operating model with a strong focus on safe and sustainable production at our mines.
“Gender diversity is a critical business imperative for Gold Fields, particularly in Ghana where the mining sector is still largely male dominated. We are therefore delighted that an accomplished mining professional like Catherine is now leading Tarkwa, the largest mine in our portfolio,” he said.
Ing. Catherine is a metallurgist with over 20 years of experience in the Ghanaian gold mining industry.
Before her appointment, Ing. Catherine was the first female Metallurgical Manager for the Tarkwa Mine, with oversight of the Damang mine. She also became the first female Metallurgical Manager for the Damang mine when she was appointed to the role in 2017. She joined the Damang mine in 2013 as a Metallurgical Superintendent and was promoted to Unit Manager in 2015.
With a passion for supporting the development of mineral processing engineering in the country, Eng. Kuupol-Kuutor received several industry awards including Female Mining Professional of the Year at the 2019 Ghana Mining Industry Awards, organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
She is a PhD candidate in Mineral Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, and holds a Master of Science Degree in Mineral Engineering from the same University. She holds a Diploma in Mineral Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
She is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers, West Africa Institute of Mining, Women in Mining Ghana, and the Ladies in Mining and Allied Professions.
