The Zijin Akyem Development Foundation (ZADeF), the community development arm of Chinese mining firm Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, has broken ground for 13 infrastructure projects valued at GH₵4.18 million across host communities in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region, in the largest single batch of social investments the foundation has announced since Zijin completed its takeover of the Akyem Gold Mine in April 2025.
The sod-cutting ceremony, held at the Abirem District Assembly, brought together traditional authorities, government officials, development partners, and community residents to mark the commencement of projects covering education, healthcare, sanitation, and community infrastructure.
The projects span nine communities across the district. Sports facilities including football fields and volleyball and netball courts with perimeter fencing will be built at Afosu RC Basic School and Mamanso Presby Basic School, while a high-level water storage facility will be constructed at Afosu Islamic Basic School. In New Abirem, three waste band walls will be erected alongside concrete walkways and landscaping at the Police Quarters.
Sanitation works include a 10-seater washroom with ancillary facilities at Old Abirem, costing GH₵196,238.83, a two-bay urinal at Adausena Methodist Primary School at GH₵79,697.10, and the reconstruction of a school feeding building at the same school for GH₵250,105. A community centre renovation at Hweakwae, estimated at GH₵445,113.30, and upgrades to the palm oil processing centre at Amanfrom, including chain-link fencing and two storage rooms, round out the economic infrastructure component. A durbar ground at Praso Kuma and a Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound at Akrofonso complete the package.
ZADeF Executive Secretary Samuel Ofosu Agyei said the projects were selected based on direct community input and that maintenance frameworks had been built into each contract to ensure the facilities remain functional beyond handover.
The investments mark the latest chapter in a community relations strategy Zijin has pursued since taking over the mine from Newmont Ghana. The company commissioned a paediatric ward at New Abirem General Hospital in May 2025 at a cost of over GH₵2 million and delivered $10,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies to the same facility. In July 2025, it handed over a 12-lockable store market to the chiefs and people of Mamanso at a cost of over GH₵1.4 million. The Birim North District subsequently topped the Mining District Development Scorecard League Table, largely attributed to effective use of mining revenues from the Akyem operation.
The Akyem Gold Mine is among Ghana’s largest producing gold operations, with a processing plant capacity of 8.5 million tonnes per year. Zijin has announced plans to extend the mine’s operational lifespan by 20 years through investments in exploration, technology and environmental management.
The 13 projects are expected to be completed within 14 months.
