Chamber Of Mine Urges Engagement Over Confrontation On Goldfields Lease Renewal

He made the call during the 2026 Zone One Inter-Mine Safety and First Aid Competition, where mining companies and emergency response teams gathered to demonstrate their preparedness in handling incidents.
The CEO said stronger relationships between mining companies and host communities were essential to promoting trust, cooperation and sustainable development. He urged Gold Fields to maintain open communication with local residents and ensure that community concerns were addressed through regular and constructive dialogue.
He noted that effective community engagement goes beyond corporate social responsibility projects, stressing the importance of involving host communities in decisions that affect their livelihoods, safety and wellbeing.Dr. Ashigbey stressed the opportunities the Goldfields lease could offer if proper engagement is chosen over agitation.

"The Goldfields lease allows us to choose engagement over agitation. I make an appeal to Nananom to address an issue that has understandably generated significant discussion in this traditional area: the renewal of Goldfields’ Tarkwa mining lease.
The Tarkwa mining lease and the existing development agreement are due to expire in April 2027. Goldfields has submitted its application for renewal in November 2025.
We recognize that there are concerns among some traditional authorities and community stakeholders about whether the people of Tarkwa have received an adequate share of the wealth generated from their lands. Those concerns must not be dismissed.
But we have also heard some of our chiefs, queen mothers, and youth talk about the significant contribution that Goldfields has made.
If Nananom believe there are outstanding community needs, let us put them clearly on the table. If the community wants greater employment opportunities, let us discuss them. If the concern is local procurement, let us discuss it. If it is infrastructure, let us have a conversation around it. If the concern is skills development, enterprise development, environmental management, or the voice of host communities, let us bring it to the table and discuss it.
But our response to legitimate concerns should be deeper engagement, not the abandonment of a partnership that has taken decades to build."

Dr. Ashigbey further urged traditional authorities and community leadership to deepen engagement with Goldfields. He argued that finding a common ground through dialogue would protect the legitimate interest of the people while preserving the investment and economic ecosystem that has been built. 

"I ask Nananom to put their expectations on the table. Ask Goldfields to put its commitments on the table. Together with government and the Minerals Commission who have roles to play, let us discuss it.
Let other mining companies in the area add their commitment. Let other businesses such as banks and telcos also add their commitment.

Let us negotiate together, hold each other accountable, and find common ground that protects the legitimate interest of the people while preserving the investment and the economic and employment ecosystem that has been built.
Before we ask questions of another company, let us ask hard questions of ourselves.
Security of tenure of mining leases is about Ghana’s credibility.
Nananom, there have been calls, as I mentioned, by some chiefs and queen mothers in my presence, asking and praying for the lease of Goldfields to be renewed. There are others who have called for non-renewal of this lease as well.
We respect the right of all traditional authorities and citizens to express their views on the future of resources located in your communities."

He warned that instability in the mining sector would have wider economic consequences. According to him, calling for the non renewal of the lease, would not automatically impact community positively, rather, effective partnerships, local participation and discipline use of mineral resources. 

"If you shake the foundation, it is not only the mining sector that will suffer. Other industries will be negatively impacted.
So let us negotiate with Goldfields to ensure we see more benefits to the people of Tarkwa and the entire Ghana in the next tenure of their lease.

For us at the Ghana Chamber of Mines, our objective is to deepen Ghanaian participation. We encourage companies like Asante Gold and other Ghanaian-owned mines to be successful, while retaining credible investors like Goldfields, AngloGold Ashanti, and Ghana Manganese, who have demonstrated the capacity to operate safely, invest long-term, and contribute to our economy.
Changing the name of a mining lease or changing the nationality of the owners does not automatically transform a community. What transforms a community is good governance, responsible investment, technology, effective partnership, local participation, and disciplined use of mineral resources.

That is why I appeal to you Nananom, those of you praying for Goldfields’ lease to be extended, continue your advocacy on the great work that Goldfields has done and how it has transformed communities.
Let engagement prevail over confrontation. Let us sit with Goldfields. Let the communities articulate clearly what they require in the next phase of the relationship. Let Goldfields listen and respond. Let us negotiate a framework that delivers greater and more visible benefits to Tarkwa while protecting the continuity of this important operation."

He proposed an upgrade in royalties from 8% to 30% while ensuring its good use to the community.

"As a Chamber, we believe that the 8% of royalties that we return to our communities is not good enough. So we are proposing that we do at least 30%. And when this 30% royalties come back to our communities, it should be put to good use, strategic investments that will transform our communities. That is what we propose.
Another proposal we have is the need for a Revenue Management Act. The petroleum sector has done it. We can also do it in the minerals sector as well”

Source: Vera Abrafi Kore

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