Residents call for a review of NGGL compensation policy

Kenyasi (B/A), July 16, GNA – Residents of satellite communities within the catchments area of the Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) at Kenyasi in Brong-Ahafo Region has called for a review of the company’s compensation policy before it commences the proposed Subika underground mining project.

NGGL has sent a proposed draft environmental impact statement to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do underground mining at its Subika pit at the plant site.

The residents noted with concern that since the multi-national mining company started surface mining at the Kenyasi plant site in 2006, it had not been able to address all the social concerns raised by the various communities.

They made the call at a public hearing on the proposed Subika underground gold mining project organised for the communities by the EPA at Kenyasi Number Two.

The communities include Kenyasi Number One, Kenyasi Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso, Dokyikrom, Manu Shed, Akorekrom and Kenyasi resettlement.

Mr Johnson Owusu Prempeh, spokesman for Dokyikrom and Akorekrom communities, enumerated a number of problems such as unemployment, poor road network, high cost of food, water pollution and the outbreak of malaria, typhoid and other water borne diseases due to mining activities.

He said most of the buildings in the two areas had developed serious cracks and were on the verge of collapse because of blasting by the mining company.

Mr Prempeh said the residents had complained to the NGGL on several occasions but their concerns had not received the needed attention.

Nana Adu Ababio, Akwamuhene of Ntotroso said: “Now that NGGL has decided to mine underground our problems are going to be worsened”.

He said the community was not in agreement with the decision by NGGL to construct a by-pass in the area because the by-pass would affect easy transportation of their food stuffs to marketing centres in Sunyani and other places.

Nana Ababio said if the mining company did not re-consider its decision and continued with the by-pass project, the community would embark on a demonstration against the mining company.

He explained that most of the residents were farmers who sold their food stuffs in Sunyani but the by-pass on completion would compel the farmers to travel a long distance before arriving at Sunyani.

“We will not tolerate any decision by the mining company that will affect our economic activities,” Nana Ababio said.

Nana Owusu Ayeboafo, Akwamuhene of Kenyasi Number Two, alleged that almost all the roads were in deplorable conditions due to movement by the company’s huge trucks adding that patients and pregnant women in labour on referral to the Brong-Ahafo Regional Hospital in Sunyani were delayed with some losing their lives due to traffic jam.

Nana Yaa Adutwumwaa, Queen mother of Kenyasi Number One, however, noted that with the support of NGGL the communities had seen tremendous infrastructure development but appealed to the mining company to continue with its social responsibility programmes to alleviate the plight of the people.

Mr Ransford Sekyi, Director of Mining at the EPA, advised Newmont to endeavour to address the problems affecting the communities in order to maintain peace in the area.

He appealed to the chiefs and people in the various communities not to take the law into their hands but to dialogue with the company in settling their differences.

Mr Sekyi gave the assurance that the EPA would ensure the NGGL complied with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (LI 1625) 1999, Regulation 17 (A/B).

Mr Joshua Mortoti, Acting Mining Manager of the Ahafo Mine, gave the assurance that the company would continue to focus on safe production and responsible mining through its social and environmental practices.

He disclosed that Newmont Mining Corporation had set itself a strategic goal to produce seven million ounces of gold globally by 2017.

“This target will include significant growth in the Africa region where we hope to more than double our production in the same period,”

He said best practices and measures that the NGGL upholds would be used in the management of the Subika project and that the company would comply with all the requirements and guidelines of recognised international bodies to guarantee the well-being of residents.

“Newmont is a founding member of the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM), and also a signatory to the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) as well as a signatory to the United Nation’s Global Compact,” Mr Mortoti said.