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Dr Catherine Kuupol Kuutor of Gold Fields Ghana Ltd has been named Mining Personality of the Year at the 11th Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA), becoming the first woman to receive the sector’s highest individual honour.
The awards ceremony, organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines and held in Accra, recognised outstanding achievements in safety, innovation, technology, gender inclusion, environmental stewardship and community development under the theme “Celebrating Excellence in Mining: Creating Value Beyond Minerals.”
Dr Kuupol Kuutor, who currently serves as Manager of the Tarkwa Mine, has long been acknowledged as a trailblazer in Ghana’s mining industry. Her recognition comes on the back of a string of groundbreaking accomplishments, including being named one of the African Mining Elites by Mining Review Africa in February 2025 where she became the first woman in Ghana to receive the publication’s Most Outstanding Leader award.
Career of Firsts
Appointed Tarkwa Mine Manager in May 2024, she is the first woman to lead a major mine in Ghana. Before that appointment, she broke another barrier as Gold Fields’ first female Metallurgical Manager, overseeing operations at both the Tarkwa and Damang mines.
She joined the Damang Mine in 2013 as a superintendent and rose steadily through the ranks, becoming Unit Manager in 2015. During that period, she led several business improvement initiatives that significantly increased gold recovery and strengthened operational efficiency.
With more than 20 years of experience in gold mining, Dr Kuupol Kuutor has worked extensively across metallurgical operations, beginning her career at Golden Star’s Wassa Mine in 2004.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr Kuupol Kuutor described the honour as deeply personal, “This award is extra special as it’s a celebration of not just my work but the unwavering support I’ve received from friends and colleagues at Gold Fields, the mining industry, as well as my late brother. I’m certain that he is smiling down on me with pride and I dedicate this achievement to his memory, which continues to inspire me every day.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to OLA Girls Secondary School-Kenyasi, KNUST, and UMaT for laying the foundation and equipping me with the skills and knowledge that have enabled me to succeed in the mining industry. Your institutions have played a pivotal role in shaping my career, and I am forever grateful for the excellent education and training I received. Thank you for investing in me and helping me achieve this milestone!
I’m honoured to be the first female to receive this award and I’m committed to inspiring more young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.”
Champion of Inclusion and Professional Excellence
Beyond her operational leadership, Dr Kuupol Kuutor is celebrated for mentoring young professionals, particularly women pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She sponsors two annual academic prizes at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT): one for the best overall Mineral Engineering student and another for the best female student.
She is also active in several professional bodies, including the Ghana Institution of Engineers, Women in Mining Ghana, Ladies in Mining and Allied Professions, and the West Africa Institute of Mining.
Strong Academic Foundation
Dr Kuupol Kuutor holds a PhD in Minerals Engineering from UMaT, where her research focused on the effect of grinding ball quality on mining expenditure, pulp chemistry and reagent consumption.
She also holds a Master’s degree in Mineral Engineering and began her academic journey with a Diploma in Mineral Engineering at the KNUST School of Mines in 2002.
Over the years, she has earned multiple distinctions, including the Female Mining Professional of the Year award at the 2020 GMIA.
Her historic win at the 2025 Ghana Mining Industry Awards reinforces her status as one of the most influential figures shaping the future of Ghana’s mining sector — and a symbol of the rising impact of women in the industry.
