The management of Newmont Goldcorp, has said the multinational mining firm is working on improving security on its sites in the country.

Francois Hardy, the Regional Senior Vice President, Africa Operations, in statement said threats posed by illegal small scale miners (galamseyers) reinforced the company’s decision to scale-up its security on site.

“Recently, we experienced an unfortunate confrontation with illegal small-scale miners, resulting in the death of one of our security personnel at our Ahafo mine.

“We have been assisting the grieving family and are collaborating with the police on their investigations. We will apply recommendations and lessons learnt from the investigations to enhance security on our sites,” he said.

Touching on advancing growth projects of the company, he said the Ahafo Mill Expansion Project is near completion and “we expect to achieve commercial production safely by the fourth quarter of this year.”

“The mill expansion project will increase mill throughput and extend profitable production in Ahafo South,” he stated.

“In Ahafo North, we continue to work through the permitting process, engaging with the relevant government agencies and building upon relationships with traditional leaders and community stakeholders.

“I will provide further updates on funding approval and next steps once we receive the needed regulatory permits.

“We have cut sod for the construction of a Children’s Ward and four-unit two-storey doctors’ residence for the planned Kenyasi District Hospital in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.

“The projects estimated at $350,000 will ensure that our operational communities remain safe and healthy. Additionally, our partnership with US based non-governmental organization – Project CURE ensures the continuous donation of medical supplies and equipment worth about $470,000 to the Hospital. In Akyem, we continue to provide infrastructural and medical support to the New Abirem Hospital to enhance quality healthcare in the area.

“As part of Newmont Goldcorp’s global strategy to help improve quality healthcare in our areas of operation, we recently partnered with Bridge of Life, a global non-profit health organization to provide free medical screening for over 1,500 people in our Ahafo host communities. The 10-member medical team also provided education on healthy lifestyles that can help the community members prevent diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and kidney related diseases.”