Newmont Africa has stated that it is awaiting investigation reports from the Ghana Police Service, and the National Investigation Bureau, to understand and address the root cause of the recent shootings, at Kenyasi, one of its host communities.
According to a statement from the company, the recent shooting and rioting incident, unfortunately,
claimed the life of one community member and injured four others including members of its
workforce. The injured have since been treated and discharged.
Newmont Africa’s Regional Senior Vice President – Africa Operations, David Thornton stated that
the company looks forward to receiving the investigation reports. “We expect that all those found
culpable after the investigations will be made to face the law. It is important that we understand
the underlying root causes and immediate triggers of the unfortunate incident and ensure that
it never happens again.”
The company reports that a group of people suspected to be residents of neighbouring
communities attacked the residential facilities of Newmont Africa’s Ahafo South mine after they
overrun the camp security and entered the residential camp. They looted and vandalised
company and personal properties, and put the lives of the onsite school children, employees and
their families at risk. Some Newmont employees and contractors, who were going to, and
returning from work, were attacked and their vehicles were destroyed.
“Newmont values the relationship it has nurtured with its host communities and continuously
seeks to strengthen the partnership that has been established over time,” Mr. Thornton stated.
“Unjustified acts of aggression, vandalism, and violence, however, undermine this partnership
and could potentially threaten the socio-economic development that host communities can
derive from mining,” he added.
About Newmont Africa
Newmont Africa is the country’s leading gold producer and operates two gold mines: the Ahafo
Mine in the Ahafo region, and the Akyem Mine in the eastern region. It is in the process of
establishing a third mine, which is currently at the project stage—the Ahafo North Project.
The company is a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold business. Commercial
production at Ahafo and Akyem began in 2006 and 2013, respectively, and currently has about
5,524 employees, directly and indirectly, across its operations. Newmont is actively involved in
exploration activities across the African continent, and globally.
