Bolgatanga: Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited (CNML) has signed a landmark Social Responsibility Agreement (SRA) with its mine communities in the Talensi District, establishing a framework for sustainable community development and stakeholder collaboration.
According to Ghana News Agency, the agreement was signed between CNML, representatives of the Talensi Traditional Area, local authorities, and community stakeholders, with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as a witness. This agreement aims to channel resources from the Namdini Gold Mine into sustainable development initiatives within the district.
The agreement includes three main components: a relationship agreement to guide engagement, a local employment agreement to maximize job opportunities for residents, and the creation of the Cardinal-Talensi Development Foundation to fund development projects.
At the signing ceremony, Mr. Jinquan Wang, Chairman and CEO of CNML, expressed a commitment to inclusive development, stating the agreement renews the company's pledge to transparency and shared progress. He emphasized that the Cardinal-Talensi Development Foundation would provide sustainable funding for development programs, managed by a diverse Board of Trustees.
The Foundation will be supported by a Social Responsibility Forum to annually identify and prioritize development projects, focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and socio-economic growth. Mr. Wang highlighted that this agreement would supplement CNML's existing corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Paramount Chief Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang and other local leaders welcomed the agreement, expressing optimism about its potential to transform the district and improve livelihoods.
Talensi District Chief Executive Mr. John Nabwoniya Millim described the agreement as historic and a new era of development for the region, praising the collaborative effort of all stakeholders. Member of Parliament Mr. Daniel Dung Mahama called for collective support to ensure successful implementation.
Professor Michael Ayamga from the EPA noted that the agreement fulfills regulatory requirements and could serve as a model for future mining-community relations in northern Ghana.
The agreement also aligns with the conditions of CNML's environmental permit. Plans are underway to develop an implementation roadmap, establish the Social Responsibility Forum, and activate the Cardinal-Talensi Development Foundation.
CNML, under the ownership of Shandong Gold, is conducting open-cast gold mining in Talensi, projected to produce five million ounces of gold over 15 years, making it Ghana's largest single-stream gold mine.