Africa-Press – Ghana. The Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on has inaugurated the Newmont Ahafo North Mine in the Ahafo Region for the company to commence actual gold mine.
The multinational mining company anticipates producing between 275,000 to 325,000 ounces of gold annually within its 13-year-mine life.
Together with the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Mr Tom Palmer, the Chief Executive Officer of Newmont, the Vice President Prof Opoku-Agyemang, cut the ribbon and unveiled a plaque to signify the official opening of the mine.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the mine’s plant site at Afrisipakrom in the Tano North Municipality of the Region, the Vice President Prof Opoku-Agyemang expressed appreciation to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for helping to maintain harmony among the stakeholders in the area.
She also thanked the chiefs and people of the area for their cooperation and willingness to resort to dialogue in settling their differences that paved the way for construction of the mining project.
The Vice President noted that the nation’s mining sector was bedeviled with several challenges, and commended Mr Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for his leadership in tackling illegal mining and ensuring that the nation’s natural resources served the people well.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang commended the leadership of the Environmental Protection Authority for initiating the reclamation of mining affected lands in the country.
She said the government would soon open an interest in the reclamation project that would see the cultivation of economic tree species to restore the mine-affected vegetative covers.
The Vice President indicated that the success of the Ahafo North Mine must not only be measured by the quantities of gold poured, but also value added to the socio-economic livelihoods of the people.
She said: “As we witness a world class mine, we must also remember our shared duty of managing the nation’s resources with integrity that will translate into construction of more schools and Hospitals and facilitate progressive development”.
“As we developed the Ahafo North, we were determined to ensure that our workforce reflected the local community,” Mr Palmer stated.
He expressed the mine’s profound gratitude to the Asantehene for his unwavering support and gave the assurance that the Ahafo North mine would continue to contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.
Mr Palmer said the mine would provide employment for thousands of people, generate substantial revenue for the government, and create opportunities for local businesses and suppliers.
He added that: “But beyond these economic contributions, this operation represents our commitment to responsible mining practices that protect the environment, respect local customs and traditions, and create lasting value for all stakeholders”.
Mr Armah-Buah expressed regret that presently the nation faced a dire situation due to illegal mining, destroying the forest and vegetative covers and polluting water bodies.
Nonetheless, he assured that the government remained committed towards tackling the menace, policy reforms, and other drastic interventions.
Earlier in a welcoming address, Mr Danquah Addo-Yobo, the Country Manager, Newmont, said the Ahafo North Mine was more than a mining operation, representing an enduring commitment to responsible and sustainable mining, to creating opportunities for Ghanaians and to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the nation.
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