Gomes employed explorers João de Santarém, Pedro Escobar, Lopo Gonçalves, Fernão do Pó and Pedro de Sintra, He exceeded the requirements of his grant: his expeditions reached the Cape of Santa Catarina, already in the Southern Hemisphere, and also the islands of the Gulf of Guinea.
In 1471 they reached Elmina (meaning "the Mine"),[2] where they found a thriving alluvial gold trade.
[3] With his profits from African trade, Fernão Gomes assisted the Portuguese king in the conquests of Asilah, Alcácer Ceguer, and Tangier in Morocco, where he was knighted.
Later, in 1478, gathering honors and with an enormous influence on the economy of the kingdom, he was appointed to the royal council.
Nuno Fernandes da Mina married Isabel Queimado and Violante de Brito.