Newmont was recently nominated, along with 24 other
companies, by the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM)
for the Swiss-based Public Eye Global Award, which attempts to shame global
corporations for alleged unethical behavior. In its nomination, WACAM alleged
our company acted irresponsibly by our intention to mine in a forest reserve in
Ghana and "displacing thousands of farmers."
More than 150 Ghanaian community leaders have since
issued their own statement opposing WACAM's award.
"Newmont was not informed of the nomination nor
given the opportunity to respond," said Dr. Chris Anderson, Newmont
Ghana's director of Corporate and External Affairs. "While we value
opposing views from groups and individuals who have demonstrated seriousness in
understanding of our mining projects, their impacts and mitigation measures, it
is clear the nomination was filled with numerous inaccuracies about the Akyem
project."
The Akyem project would mine about 12 percent of the
southeast fringe area of the Ajenjua Bepo Production Forest Reserve; with all
other mining activities undertaken outside the forest. The Ghanaian government
classified the condition of the Ajenjua Bepo Forest fringes as mostly degraded
due to long-term logging and timber harvesting. Additionally, the reserve is
not one of the Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas in Ghana. Having now
been put under a conversion circle, the forest can be mined for the mineral
deposit in its degraded section.
Newmont's Akyem project has been studied extensively
by international and national environmental experts, members of the communities
living in the area, and by agencies and departments of Ghana's government.
During the past five years, it has been the subject of a thorough environmental
impact study, public consultation processes, an independent review process and
overall regulatory review.
Every issue raised in the nomination has been
discussed with local communities and the results presented in an environmental
impact study that was recently reviewed by the Ghana Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Our analyses have also been subjected to international and
national environmental expert review, as well as that of government agencies.
As a result, the EPA recently granted Newmont an environmental permit to
operate at Akyem.
Project leaders have engaged with numerous community
representatives, nongovernmental organizations, government agencies and
international organizations on many occasions. These processes have
demonstrated Newmont's respect for the Akyem community and its opinions - which
are both supportive and contrary to our views.
In fact, at three
public hearings held over the last few years by the Ghana EPA, the Akyem
communities demonstrated overwhelming support for the Project and this was
widely reported in the media. Our company has become a leader in Ghana,
bringing innovation and high standards to its environmental practices, safety
measures and commitment to social responsibility.
