Communication and External Relations Manager – Newmont Africa, Samuel Osei, has attributed the delay of the expansion of its Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) project at Dokyikrom to speculative structures.
According to him, inhabitants of the town had added extra structures with the intention of getting extra monies aside from the initial amount agreed on for compensation after the cut-off date in July 2019.
Mr. Osei emphasised that even though Newmont has agreed to pay tokens as relief for the speculative structures, residents in the Asutifi District in the Ahafo Region have refused to accept it and are demanding full compensation.
“After several meetings with various stakeholders which included heads of Dokyikrom, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Newmont, we agreed to give a token in addition to the initial compensation, but the inhabitants have refused and are requesting for more.”
Speaking on the reason for resettlement, he explained that since the mining site is expanding, it is necessary to also expand territories of its by-products since it was becoming full. “After series of meetings with EPA, it was agreed that residents in the area which would be affected should be compensated and relocated to sites constructed by Newmont.
Aside from relocation and compensation, Newmont is providing water and medical assistance.
Director of External Relations and Communication – Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ahmed Nantogmah, in an interview with journalists after a tour of the town, acknowledged the presence of speculative structures, since they had no writings on them as others which were marked by Newmont during the survey on the cut-off day.
“Speculative structures have gradually become one of the major challenges mining companies in Ghana face. These practices end up delaying productivity which, leads to less revenue for the country as well,” he added.
However, speaking to journalists, the people of Dokyikrom debunked claims made by Newmont and have appealed to them to compensate them adequately before relocating them.
