Newmont is working on contractor employee compensation

Kenyasi, June 24, GNA – Newmont Ghana has
reiterated its commitment to facilitating good-faith dialogue between a section
of the Ahafo mine’s construction contractor employees and their employers.

The company has facilitated discussions between
the two sides to determine guidelines for fair, competitive and sustainable compensation
packages. However, the local contractor employees have demanded additional
compensation and benefits and stayed away from work to further press their
demands.

The regional police administration has
deployed public security personnel to improve security and order within the
Kenyasi and Ntotroso communities while protecting lives and property following
reports of intimidation and threats. A police constable sustained an eye injury
following an attack by the protestors.

“Our thoughts are with the policeman who was
injured in the line of duty. We are committed to ensuring fair and sustainable
compensation for our contractors and have provided them with equitable
remuneration guidelines,” said Yaw Okyere Ntrama, Acting General Manager for
Newmont Ghana’s Ahafo mine. “However, we cannot directly negotiate wages and
other benefits with their employees on their behalf – they have the
responsibility to negotiate directly with their employees. We also encourage
the concerned local contractor employees to re-engage in good-faith dialogue
with their employers through due process.”

The company says it will continue to ensure fair
and competitive employment opportunities that create value and improve lives
for nearby communities.

Newmont holds two gold mining operations in
Ghana: the Ahafo mine in the Brong-Ahafo Region and the Akyem mine in the
Eastern Region. The company currently employs approximately 4,000 employees and
contractors.

Newmont is the only gold company listed in the
S&P 500 index and in 2007 became the first gold company selected to be part
of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. In 2017, Newmont was ranked by the
DJSI as the mining industry’s global leader in sustainability for the third
year in a row. In 2015, Newmont Ghana was honoured by the US Department of
State’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs for its efforts at promoting
human and labour rights within the company and in its host communities.

Newmont’s industry leading performance is
reflected through Newmont Ghana’s high standards in environmental management,
health and safety for its employees and creating value and opportunity for its
host communities and Newmont’s shareholders.

This is contained in a statement issued to the
Ghana News Agency by Newmont Ghana and signed by Agbeko Azumah, Communications
and External Relations Manager.

GNA