Newmont Ghana is urging cooperation from the Ghana Mineworkers Union (GMWU) to help reach a mutually beneficial, equitable and economically sustainable labour agreement, given the challenging business conditions the company and gold mining industry face.

"We remain ready to continue good-faith negotiations with the GMWU to protect the interests of workers through the long-term sustainability of our operations and the ongoing creation of shared value for all of our stakeholders,” said Pascal Kanbonnabah, Newmont’s Regional Vice President, Human Resources.

“It is our strong desire to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible so we can all focus on safely managing the business and sustaining the livelihoods of our employees and host communities.”

The parties have been engaged in a negotiation process since late 2014 and have not yet reached a mutually acceptable agreement on a remuneration package that is equitable while ensuring the business remains sustainable in an environment of lower ore grades at Ahafo, unstable gold price, power supply and reliability.

Recently, the company and GMWU communicated they were resuming good-faith negotiations on their labour contract. However, the company has been unable to reach settlement with the GMWU and the two parties are preparing to appear before the National Labour Commission for mediation.