Accra: Gold Fields Ghana has defended its record on responsible mining and community engagement following concerns raised over the renewal of the mining leases for its Tarkwa Mine. The company stated that recent media reports on the position of the Apinto Divisional Council regarding the lease renewal did not reflect its engagement with traditional authorities and host communities or its contribution to Ghana's economy.
According to Ghana News Agency, Gold Fields Ghana made its position known in a statement issued on Monday. The company highlighted its engagement with traditional leaders and community representatives for over three decades through the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee and other community forums. These platforms have provided opportunities to discuss issues such as environmental management, land rehabilitation, community investment, and the mining lease renewal process.
Gold Fields noted that the Tarkwa Mine retained approximately 74 cents of every dollar it generated in Ghana through taxes, royalties, government dividends, salaries, local procurement, and community investments. The company reported paying about GHS5.8 billion to the Government in corporate taxes, royalties, dividends, and other statutory payments in 2025, with an expenditure of GHS8.8 billion on local procurement, including GHS6.5 billion with suppliers from host communities.
The company also emphasized its investments through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, which exceeded US$110 million, supporting projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agriculture, enterprise development, and environmental conservation. The statement mentioned projects such as the 33-kilometre Tarkwa-Damang asphalt road, the Tarkwa and Abosso Sports Stadium, over 52 schools, scholarships, an Artificial Intelligence SmartLab, skills development initiatives, and healthcare facilities.
Gold Fields highlighted that approximately 70 per cent of employees at the Tarkwa Mine were from host communities, while Ghanaians made up 99 per cent of the workforce. The company reported investing about US$46 million in progressive land rehabilitation since 2016 and planting over 818,000 trees since 1998 as part of its environmental management programme. It maintained ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification for 23 years and International Cyanide Management Code certification for 18 years.
The company stated that its proposal to renew the Tarkwa mining leases was informed by consultations with traditional authorities and community representatives. "The Company's proposal reflects many of the priorities raised during these engagements and seeks to deepen local participation, strengthen community benefits, expand local procurement, support skills development, and enhance long-term socio-economic value creation," the statement said.
Gold Fields submitted its application to renew the Tarkwa mining leases in November 2025 and a lease renewal proposal to the Government in July 2026. The company remains engaged in the process while awaiting feedback from the relevant authorities. It expressed support for increased local participation in the mining sector and recently met with the Apinto Divisional Council, indicating its ongoing commitment to engaging stakeholders on the issues raised.