By Erica Apeatua Addo
Tarkwa (W/R), July 28, GNA-Gold Fields Ghana (GFG) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnership, responsible mining, and shared value at Tarkwa as its proceeds with the renewal of its Tarkwa mining lease.
The company said the recent media reports on the position of the Apinto Divisional Council concerning the renewal of the Tarkwa mining lease do not reflect its long-standing partnership with traditional authorities and host communities at Tarkwa, or its investment made in community development, taxes and royalties paid to the government.
In a statement issued by the company, it said Gold Fields has maintained regular and transparent engagement with the Apinto Divisional Council and community representatives through platforms such as the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee and community forums.
These structures have provided regular opportunities for matters relating to the operation of the Mine, including environmental management and rehabilitation, community investment, as well as the renewal of the Tarkwa mining leases have been raised and addressed.
“Tarkwa Mine continues to be a significant contributor to Ghana’s economy, where 74 per cent of every dollar of value generated by the Mine remains in Ghana through the payment of taxes, royalties, dividends to Government through its 10 per cent free-carried equity ownership in Tarkwa, salaries and benefits, procurement from local businesses and investment in host communities.”
The statement said Gold Fields in 2025, paid about GHS5.8 billion to the government in corporate taxes, royalties, dividends and other statutory payments, while spending approximately GHS8.8 billion through local procurement across Ghana, of which GHS6.5 billion was spent with host community suppliers.
It also highlighted its investment in community development through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, which has invested more than US$110 million in host communities across infrastructure, education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture, enterprise development, and environmental conservation.
These investments include the 33 kilometres Tarkwa-Damang asphalt road, the Tarkwa and Abosso Sports Stadium, more than 52 schools, scholarships for hundreds of students in both mining and other disciplines, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Smart Lab, skills development programmes, healthcare projects, water and other community infrastructure.
Touching on employment, the statement noted that 70 per cent of employees at the Tarkwa Mine came from host communities, and 99 per cent of the workforce were Ghanaians, reflecting the Company’s commitment to creating opportunities for local people.
Outlining steps taken to protect the environment, the company said since 2016, about US$46 million has been invested in progressive rehabilitation, with annual rehabilitation expenditure averaging US$4.2 million.
“More than 818,000 trees have been planted since 1998, with more than 33,000 trees currently being raised at the nursery. Rehabilitation is ongoing and integrated into Mine planning and operations.
“The Tarkwa Mine has maintained ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification for 23 years and International Cyanide Management Code certification for 18 years and is following the applicable environmental regulations,” the statement added.
Gold Fields submitted an application for the renewal of the Tarkwa mining leases in November 2025 and a lease-renewal proposal to the Government in July 2026.
“While the details of the proposal remained subject to further engagement with the Government, Gold Fields’ approach is forward-looking and seeks to enhance investment in Tarkwa and support greater value sharing with the government, host communities, employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders.”
The statement revealed that Gold Fields recently met with the Apinto Divisional Council and would continue to engage constructively with them on the matters raised, stressing that they remained committed to Ghana, Tarkwa and the communities that had hosted and supported its operations for over three decades.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter Erica Apeatua Addo [email protected]