The Newmont Ahafo North Project in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region has earmarked about US$14 million for resettlement packages.
Mr Joseph Danso, the Senior Manager, Sustainability and External Relations of the Project explained that the funds set aside covers five major towns. These towns, he said include: Yamfo, Terchire, Adrobaa, Susuanso, and Afrisipakrom and expected to resettle about 250 households.
The project would also spend US$1million for cash compensation with 700 structures identified to receive the compensation.
Interacting with some members of the Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA) on Monday in Sunyani, Mr Danso expressed regret over the speculative activities on the Mine’s concessions, which delayed the Project’s progress.
With support from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, about eight members of the JBA, led by Sulemana Mustapha, its President, are undertaking a two-day visit to get themselves abreast of the Ahafo North Project to report accurately on its activities.
Mr Danso explained that the Project would further resettle or relocate local businesses, citing that it has identified eight poultry farms for their complete relocation.
Paying Compensation For Speculative Structures And Activities
Mr Danso indicated that though it was unlawful for the Project to pay compensation for speculative structures and activities, it had paid US$45 million as a form of relief to owners of the about 8,000 speculative structures on the mine’s concession. He disclosed that the Project has paid GhC186.2 million as crop compensation to some affected farmers within the enclave.
Mr Samuel Osei, the Communication and External Affairs Manager, Newmont Ahafo South Mine and Newmont Ahafo North Project, said the project had the potential to produce between 275,000 and 325,000 ounces of gold annually.
Mr Samuel Osei, moreover, intimated that the Environmental Protection Agency had already granted permit for construction work to begin, which had a lifespan of about 13 years.
Mr Andries Havenga, the Project Director, Newmont Ahafo North, Ahafo Region, has assured the people that the new mining activities to be undertaken in the area would improve their socio-economic livelihoods. He noted that it would tackle emerging challenges and find suitable solutions for the host communities to enhance their living conditions.
Newmont has voted US$850 million to be invested into the Ahafo Project, with the potential to create 1,800 jobs during construction period, and 550 direct jobs. Mr Havenga indicated that it had prioritised gender equality and assured 50 per cent gender workforce to inspire more women to go into mining.
These allocations come on the back of huge taxes paid by Newmont to the government of Ghana. The company paid corporate tax (GHS1,530.9 million), mineral royalty (GHS548.3 million), and carried interest (GHS222.1 million). Meanwhile, the rest include PAYE (GHS261.3 million), withholding tax (GHS164.5 million) and forestry levy (GHS35.5 million).
Newmont executives, led by Mr David Thornton, Regional Senior Vice President for Africa, presented a cheque for GHS 184.6 million to the government of Ghana as dividend for 2022. The amount represented the government’s carried interest in operating the Akyem mine.
The company recently announced fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 results and subsequently declared dividend for 2022 financial year, as well as its 2023 and longer-term outlook.
