Accra, Dec. 16, GNA - Newmont Ghana Limited (NGL), a mining giant currently working on its Ahafo mine in the Brong Ahafo region have already spent 13 million dollars as compensation to food crop farmers, who would be affected by the company's operations. The company is also collaborating with the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) to launch apprenticeship programme for the youth to provide them with employable skills.

Ms. Mawuena Dumor, Communications Manager of Newmont Ghana announced this at a Soiree organised for the media in Accra. The meeting, which attracted several media personnel from both the electronic and print, was to interact with them and acknowledge their contribution to the organisation. She said Newmont pre-production expenditure currently stands at 450 million dollars, while the construction of the mine is expected to be complete by July 2006 leading to first pour. She said the Ahafo mine, which is also 70 percent complete, would produce a total of 600,000 ounces of gold and employ 3000 Ghanaians. She said Newmont is committed to the public disclosure of documents and receive feedback on various documents including Resettlement plan, Environmental Impact Statement and Guide to land acquisition as well as compensation for exploration activities.

Ms Dumor also announced that the company is waiting for approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission (MC) to start work on its Akyem project in 2006. She said there have been extensive interactions between the company and various stakeholders, including chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and assembly members on compensations and resettlement of farmers at the operation area.