Newmont Ghana Gold Limited on Thursday expressed its commitment to safe and responsible operations in Ghana, bearing in mind the interest of employees and the citizenry.
"The health and safety of our employees and our neighbours is of utmost importance and is taken very seriously as part of our business," it said in a statement issued in Accra by Adiki O. Ayitevie Regional Manager, Communications.
"We continuously seek to improve our safety practices and methods. We regret and are deeply concerned with any fatality or injury that occurs from activities of Newmont employees and our contractors, whether inside the boundaries of our mine areas or outside the operations on public roads or in communities."
The statement said Newmont Ghana recognised from the earliest days of the Ahafo project feasibility study that road traffic safety and related accidents in Ghana were amongst the highest in any country where Newmont had
previously worked.
As a result of the initial project risk and health impact assessments, the company had continuously strived to put measures in place to address road safety dangers.
It said these measures include extensive, regular and frequent training for all employees and contractors in addition to numerous efforts with external stakeholders and local communities, to increase awareness and improve safety in and around the mine site area.
The statement listed some of the safety measures as the engagement of local district assemblies and traditional leaders to ensure that roads within urban community areas are not blocked by local vendors and traders.
Newmont Ghana evaluates proposals from non-governmental organisations and other bodies to provide road safety capacity building to local
communities, employees and contractors.
The company provides training to the youth to assist children in crossing roads safely, sponsored numerous road safety campaigns on local
radio stations, and enforce strict speed controls for company employees and contractors passing through communities.
The statement said Newmont Ghana supports local authorities to improve road signage within host communities.
It had also installed Global Positioning Systems and speed trackers "in all of our light vehicles to monitor adherence to our mandatory speed limits".
The statement said: "A recent report has challenged our safety record in Ghana, claiming that 15 fatalities have been associated with our
operations over the past five years. The Ahafo operation has not had a mine-work related fatality associated with its mine operations since production began in 2006.
"Regrettably, there have been a number of accidents, which occurred around the mine operations area and road traffic accidents both near and far from the Ahafo operation's area.
"The report also makes reference to the standards utilised in the construction of dams or facilities at the Ahafo mine. The facilities at
Ahafo, which contain dams or engineered embankments have been designed and constructed to international standards.
"Similarly, all embankments which are larger than 15 metres in elevation were reviewed by independent engineers during both the design and
construction phase. Embankments are also independently audited annually to ensure that facilities are operating as designed.
"To date, no design or operational issues have been identified by any of the independent reviews or audits."
The statement noted that the drowning incidents, which occurred (two in 2005; one in 2009; and one in 2010), resulted from individuals accessing water bodies despite warnings and relevant safety signs and in spite of
community awareness-raising programmes.
It said the water bodies which are integral parts of the companies operations are constructed to internationally recognised engineering
standards and have been approved for use by the Ghanaian regulatory bodies.
"The drowning incidents were fully investigated and additional measures were put in place based on the investigation results. The measures included increased patrols, signage, and community information campaigns to ensure all households in proximity to water bodies clearly understand the associated risks."
It said road traffic safety is an ongoing risk throughout the country and a continued focus for Newmont Ghana.
"All of the road traffic related accidents involving Newmont vehicles or vehicles operated by Newmont contractors occurred on public roads.
Newmont regrets the loss of life from these unfortunate accidents and in all cases; we have worked with the police, community leaders, families and others to establish the facts. We have also taken the appropriate measures
of bearing funeral expenses, providing the injured with medical cover and supporting their families while they are receiving medical attention.
"We have also been involved in facilitating processing of compensation for victims and families.
"We are committed to the continuous improvement of our health, well-being and safety procedures and standards. Newmont's first priority remains the safety of our neighbours, employees and contractors.
Newmont Ghana operates one of five core operating districts for Newmont Mining Corporation (www.newmont.com), one of the largest gold companies in the world.
It operates the Ahafo Mine in the Brong-Ahafo Region and also has a development project- the Akyem Project in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.
The company employs approximately 5,400 people and contractors, with the majority of the work taking place at the Ahafo Mine.
The statement said: "Newmont's industry leading performance is reflected in Newmont Ghana's high standards in environmental management, health and safety for its employees and creating value and opportunity for its employees, host communities and Newmont's shareholders.