Koforidua, May 23, GNA - Mr Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, Communications Manager of Newmont Akyem project, says groups who are interested in the welfare of mining communities should as well focus their attention on galamsey activities, since that practice was causing extensive damage to communities.

He observed that operations of mining companies like Newmont and Anglogold Ashanti were being guided by rules and regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission, and were therefore mindful of the acts as compared to the galamsey operators who had no obligation, since they have no legal backing. Mr Oduro-Kwarteng who was briefing the media in Koforidua cited Noyem and Nyafoma where galamsey activities were causing damage to farms and polluting water bodies, and wondered why those groups were not focusing their attention on them.

He said Newmont in all its transactions allowed the communities to choose their own leaders to bargain on their behalf. Mr Oduro-Kwarteng described as a "hidden agenda" by some groups who were peddling false information that the company had neglected the concerns and welfare of the people in its operations. He said the communities had contracted a University professor to help them with the valuation of their lands and crops for the payment of their compensation.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng mentioned the provision of boreholes to provide portable water to the communities as part of the company's social responsibilities towards the welfare of the people. According to the Communications Manager, the company having the interest of the communities at heart was preparing influx management plan, by providing social amenities in collaboration with the Birim North District Assembly.

He said as the permit for the operation had been issued, Newmont Akyem was working closing with the communities to pay for their compensation and other benefits, to ensure that their operations did not deprive them of their livelihood. Mr Oduro-Kwarteng appealed to the media to cross check facts from the affected communities to be able to get the true state of the operations of the company in the area, adding that the support Newmont Akyem was getting from the people was overwhelming. 23 May 10