Newmont Ghana is urging employees of two construction contractors working at the Akyem Project to engage in a good-faith dialogue with their employers to have their compensation issues addressed in a safe and responsible manner.

Following protests by some construction workers seeking additional compensation as their contract winds down as planned, the Regional and District Security Committees, Newmont Ghana, individuals representing the protesting employees and community leaders agreed to participate in a dialogue.

The company also notes that though the agitations were quite intense there were no guns or dangerous weapons involved.

Newmont Ghana said it will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure a safe and productive working environment as the construction phase of the project begins to taper off and first production nears later this year. The Akyem Project continues to enjoy strong support from nearby communities which are eager to benefit from the economic and social development the operation will bring.

The company says it will continue to partner with the local communities to create alternative economic development opportunities, including support for local business development and funding quality of life initiatives. This is beyond the economic benefits the project already provides to local communities through goods and services purchases, job opportunities and infrastructure investments.

In addition, the company has trained more than 180 young men and women through the four-year Apprenticeship and heavy duty operators’ programmes to equip local youth with the skills to fill positions at Akyem.

Despite these and other efforts, over the next several months, as construction activities at the site ramp down as planned, the company expects increased job anxiety over the reduced need for construction workers. The construction phase of projects such as these offers the highest number of jobs over the life of the operation.

During the winding down of construction it is more important than ever that all employees remain focused on working safely and responsibly.

We are looking forward to working with all stakeholders to continue to advance the Akyem Project to production as planned.