Mireku Duker-led Engagement Paves Way For US$850 Newmont Project

A mining giant, Newmont Africa, has commenced disbursement of compensation package to residents whose unauthorized structures were impeding the smooth take off of the $850 million Ahafo North Mining Project.

The disbursement of the relief package, follows conclusion of discussions with government, traditional authorities and community stakeholders, to make up for the removal of over 8, 000 speculative unauthorized structures.

The successful negotiation for the take-off, was led by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, who has been instrumental throughout the peaceful engagements.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday 3 August 2022 by the Director, Communications & External Relations Agbeko Azumah, an Inter-Agency Committee led by the Deputy Minister, Mireku Duker, Ahafo Regional Minister, with the support from officials from the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Newmont Africa, were involved.

The Newmont Corporation Board of Directors approved full funds for Ahafo North Project in July 2021.

The Duker-led stakeholders ensured the discussion to commit some GH¢45 million in relief payment with community leaders as well as representatives of the unauthorized structures in the project area.

The Deputy Minister, who is in-charge of Mining, believes that the one-off relief payments will help promote peace as well as security for the $854 million project.

Mr Mireku Duker, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency in the Western Region, warned that, government will no longer countenance any form of developments in the project area to thwart peaceful relationship between the company and the community as a whole.

“The agreed one-off payments will promote community peace and security of the Ahafo North Project. We will not tolerate any further development of unauthorized structures which adversely affects company-community relations and discourages mining investment in the country,” Mireku Duker said.

He 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.

The Ahafo Regional Minister, George Boakye, said even though government acknowledges the fact that the structures were unauthorized, it was able to solicit for the relief payment so that both the community and Newmont, can live in peace and harmony.

“Though the structures were unauthorized, 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 added that 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, David Thornton, said the company was committed to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the Ahafo North Mining Project, is fully executed to create the needed sustainable value for all.

“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” Mr Thornton said.

Newmont Africa expressed appreciation to 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.

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.

The company currently employs over 8,000 employees and contractors. Newmont Media Contact is Agbeko Azumah – Director, Communications & External Relation.

 Source: Anchorghana.com