Representatives of six civil society organisations (CSOs) have visited the Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine for discussions and first-hand assessment of its mining operations, safety systems, environmental management and community investments.
The two-day visit brought together Dr Steve Manteaw, Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI); Samuel Bekoe of the Centre for Extractives Development Africa; Kyei Yamoah of the Human Environment and Livelihood Platform Foundation; Benjamin Nsiah of the Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Energy; Geoffrey Ocansey of Revenue Mobilisation Africa; and Robert Tanti Ali of the Centre for Social Impact Studies.
The delegation, led by Dr Manteaw, engaged the mine’s leadership on mining and processing, safety, environmental and tailings management, stakeholder relations, value creation and the mine’s contributions to host communities and government.
The CSO representatives toured the mining pit and the fatigue monitoring control centre, where they were shown safety technologies, systems and artificial intelligence applications used at the mine.
They also visited a rehabilitated former tailings dam, where the site has been converted into vegetation and farmland supporting crops including oil palm, coconut, cashew, mango, pepper, tomatoes and cabbage.
As part of the visit, the delegation inspected projects supported by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, including the Tarkwa and Abosso Stadium, the UMaT–Brahabobom road, Budo City–Bogoso Junction road, Samahu–Pepesa road, and the Huniso health facility, maternity block and nurses’ quarters.
The delegation also engaged chiefs and elders at New Atuabo and Huniso on community experiences and perspectives.
The visit provided an opportunity for the CSOs to ask questions, share feedback and make recommendations on the mine’s operations and engagement with host communities.
