Akyem Staff Trained to Prevent Escalation of Social Issues
Adapted from Beyondthemine.com
Newmont is working to build and maintain trust and credibility within the
communities where we do business, particularly in Ghana, where we are
developing a new mine. At our Akyem project, Newmont trained senior managers
and contractors on how to identify and resolve potential community issues and
sentiments before they develop into outrage.
Although we began communicating with stakeholders about the Akyem project
two years prior to submitting permit applications, community tension existed
related to adequate land and crop compensation, perceived environmental
impacts, employment opportunities, cultural differences and resettlement.
Akyem's primary stakeholders include traditional authorities, farmers'
association constituents, unit committee members, the media, nongovernmental
organizations, and local and regional government officials.
The Akyem staff has been working to understand each stakeholder's needs,
concerns, values and interests so that they can relate and respond to them
accordingly.
Our social license to operate is equally as relevant as a regulatory
license. Our engagement, dialogue and participation with local communities and
other stakeholders are key for achieving that. We used this knowledge to help
us enhance our community relations and development programs.
