Gold Fields Mounts Strong Defence of Tarkwa Lease Renewal Bid

The company was responding to recent public comments by the Apinto Divisional Council regarding the renewal of the Tarkwa mining lease. Gold Fields says the position taken by the Council does not reflect its long-standing relationship with traditional authorities and host communities, stressing that it has consistently engaged stakeholders through the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee and other governance platforms where issues relating to mining operations, environmental management, community investment and the lease renewal process have been discussed. 

Gold Fields says the Tarkwa Mine continues to make a significant contribution to Ghana’s economy, noting that about 74 pesewas of every cedi generated by the mine remains in the country through taxes, royalties, dividends, salaries, local procurement and investments in host communities. According to the company, it paid approximately GH¢5.8 billion to government in corporate taxes, royalties, dividends and other statutory payments in 2025, while spending GH¢8.8 billion on local procurement across Ghana, including GH¢6.5 billion with suppliers from host communities.

The company further states that through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, more than 110 million US dollars has been invested in host communities in education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agriculture, enterprise development and environmental conservation. These investments include the 33-kilometre Tarkwa–Damang road, more than 52 schools, scholarships, the Artificial Intelligence SmartLab, sports infrastructure and several community development projects. 

On employment and environmental stewardship, Gold Fields says about 70 per cent of employees at the Tarkwa Mine are from host communities, while 99 per cent are Ghanaians. It also says it has invested about 46 million US dollars in progressive land rehabilitation since 2016, planted more than 818,000 trees and continues to meet international environmental standards through regular monitoring and certification. 

The company says it submitted its application to renew the Tarkwa mining lease in November 2025 and presented a detailed proposal to government in July this year. According to Gold Fields, the proposal is aimed at deepening local participation, expanding community benefits, strengthening local procurement and creating greater long-term socio-economic value while respecting Ghana’s legal framework for mining lease renewals. 

Gold Fields maintains that it is best placed to lead the next phase of the Tarkwa Mine because of its financial capacity, technical expertise and long-term investment capability. The company says it will continue engaging government, traditional authorities and other stakeholders as the lease renewal process progresses, reaffirming its commitment to Ghana, Tarkwa and the communities that have hosted its operations for more than three decades. 

Nana Esi Brew Monney

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