Newmont Africa has commenced payment for the removal of over 8,000 speculative unauthorised structures in the $850 million Ahafo North Mining Project area after concluding discussions with government, traditional authorities and community stakeholders.
An Inter-Agency Committee led by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for mining George Mireku Duker and the Ahafo Regional Minister George Boakye with the support of officials from the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and Newmont Africa, led the discussion to commit GH¢45 million in relief payment with community leaders and representatives of the structures in the project area.
“The agreed one-off payments will promote community peace and security of the Ahafo North Project. We will not tolerate any further development of unauthorised structures which adversely affects company-community relations and discourages mining investment in the country,” Mr Duker said.
He that government was hopeful that the project would commence soon and create significant value including employment, business opportunities, infrastructure, and socio-economic development as well as increased revenue in taxes, royalties and forex inflows.
On his part, Mr Boakye said though the structures were unauthorised, Newmont had agreed to government’s recommendation to offer a relief payment package in the interest of peaceful co-existence with its host communities.
He said he was certain that the Project would commence soon and create local employment, community development and business opportunities.
The Regional Senior Vice President, Newmont Africa Operations, Mr David Thornton, disclosed that the company’s board of directors approved full funds for the Ahafo North Project in July 2021.
He said Newmont was committed to collaborating with the government, our host communities and other stakeholders to ensure the Ahafo North Project will continue and create sustainable value along with opportunity for all stakeholders”.
“Newmont Africa expressed appreciation to the Ghana government, the Asantehene, Nananom, regulators, traditional authorities, youth leaders and community stakeholders for their collaboration on agreeing to a long-term sustainable outcome to commence sustainable development of the Ahafo North Project,” Mr Thor.
Newmont Africa Newmont Africa, a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation is Ghana’s leading gold producer with two gold mining operations in Ghana: the Ahafo South Mine in the Ahafo Region and the Akyem Mine in the Eastern Region.
The company’s Ahafo North Project is preparing to commence construction activities following regulatory permitting approvals and extensive stakeholder engagements. Newmont Ghana currently employs over 8,000 employees and contractors, a statement signed by the Director, Communications and External Affairs of Newmont Africa, Mr Agbeko Azumah and copied the Ghanaian Times concluded.
BY TIMES REPORTER
