By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, July 27, GNA – Gold Fields Ghana has defended its record on responsible mining and community engagement following concerns raised over the renewal of the mining leases for its Tarkwa Mine.
The company said recent media reports on the position of the Apinto Divisional Council regarding the lease renewal did not reflect its engagement with traditional authorities and host communities or its contribution to Ghana’s economy.
Gold Fields Ghana made the position known in a statement issued on Monday.
The company said it had engaged traditional leaders and community representatives for more than three decades through the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee and other community forums.
It said those platforms had provided opportunities to discuss issues relating to environmental management, land rehabilitation, community investment and the mining lease renewal process had been discussed.
Gold Fields said the Tarkwa Mine retained about 74 cents of every dollar it generated in Ghana through taxes, royalties, government dividends, salaries, local procurement and community investments.
It said it paid about GH¢5.8 billion to the Government in corporate taxes, royalties, dividends and other statutory payments in 2025, and spent GH¢8.8 billion on local procurement, including GH¢6.5 billion with suppliers from host communities.
The company said investments through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation had exceeded US$110 million, supporting projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agriculture, enterprise development and environmental conservation.
According to the statement, those projects included the 33-kilometre Tarkwa-Damang asphalt road, the Tarkwa and Abosso Sports Stadium, more than 52 schools, scholarships, an Artificial Intelligence SmartLab, skills development initiatives and healthcare facilities.
Gold Fields said about 70 per cent of employees at the Tarkwa Mine were from host communities, while Ghanaians accounted for 99 per cent of the workforce.
The company said it had invested about US$46 million in progressive land rehabilitation since 2016 and planted more than 818,000 trees since 1998 as part of its environmental management programme.
It said the mine had maintained ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification for 23 years and International Cyanide Management Code certification for 18 years.
Gold Fields said its proposal to renew the Tarkwa mining leases was informed by consultations with traditional authorities and community representatives.
“The Company’s proposal reflects many of the priorities raised during these engagements and seeks to deepen local participation, strengthen community benefits, expand local procurement, support skills development and enhance long-term socio-economic value creation,” the statement said.
The company said it submitted its application to renew the Tarkwa mining leases in November 2025 and a lease renewal proposal to the Government in July 2026, adding that it remained engaged in the process while awaiting feedback from the relevant authorities.
Gold Fields said it supported increased local participation in the mining sector and had recently met the Apinto Divisional Council, adding that it would continue engaging stakeholders on the issues raised.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Edward Acquah
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