Newmont says in good relationship with communities

Kenyasi (B/A) Aug. 10, GNA - Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, a subsidiary of world-wide Newmont Mining Corporation has in a statement said it cherished the relationship between it and the various communities within the catchment area of its Ahafo project. The statement signed by Mr. Stephen Baffoe, Principal Communication Officer and released to Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said it was in this respect that the company, together with local traditional authorities had initiated an investigation into allegations that a member of the company's management team had exhibited "inappropriate and culturally insensitive behaviour" towards traditional leaders and certain employees of the company.

Local community and traditional leaders from Kenyasi No 2, Ntotroso and Wamahinso have met with the company's management and have provided information from the community relating to the matter, the statement said.

It said at a meeting held on Monday with community leaders including chiefs, the company agreed to inform stakeholders about the outcome of the investigation "in a timely fashion".

The statement said Newmont's management and the traditional leaders were committed to allow all affected parties to be fully heard and to conduct a fair and full investigation of all allegations of misconduct. At the same time, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited requires its employees to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Newmont values at work and in the community and to treat all other employees and community members with respect, the statement added.

It stated the company's commitment to a positive relationship with the community, adding both Newmont and the traditional authorities realise that there was the need to put better mechanisms in place to deal with such incidents.

"We are actively working together to develop a better method of resolving grievances and conflicts in the future", the statement said. Mr Baffoe later explained to GNA that the company completed its construction phase and had its first gold pour a few months ago, necessitating the pruning of the labour strength since the company had reorganised its operations into environmental sanitation and mining. He said it was against this background that the company had been holding meetings with the District Assembly, opinion leaders and traditional rulers to know how the company could assist the affected employees to become self-sufficient.

Mr. Baffoe denied that there was any "protest march" by some selected communities against the company as regards to the "insensitive behaviour" of a management member whom he declined to name. He said the chiefs had agreed to allow the company's investigation team to go through the necessary findings in the matter. 10 Aug. 06