Gold Fields Ghana has defended its bid to renew the Tarkwa mining leases, dismissing recent claims that it has lost the support of the Apinto Divisional Council and insisting that its relationship with traditional authorities and host communities remains intact.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, the company said recent media reports on the Council’s position regarding the lease renewal did not reflect the decades-long partnership it has maintained with traditional authorities, host communities and the Government of Ghana.
Gold Fields stressed that for more than 30 years it has operated the Tarkwa Mine as a committed partner of the Government of Ghana, employees, suppliers and host communities, while maintaining regular engagement with the Apinto Divisional Council through established governance structures.
According to the company, issues relating to the mine’s operations, environmental management, land rehabilitation, community investment and the renewal of the Tarkwa mining leases have consistently been discussed through platforms such as the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee and community forums where traditional authorities are represented.
The company also defended its economic contribution to Ghana, saying the Tarkwa Mine remains one of the country’s biggest economic assets.
It disclosed that approximately 74 cents of every dollar generated by the mine remains in Ghana through corporate taxes, royalties, dividends paid to government under its 10% free-carried equity, salaries, employee benefits, procurement from local businesses and investment in surrounding communities.
Gold Fields said it paid approximately GH¢5.8 billion to the Government of Ghana in 2025 through corporate taxes, royalties, dividends and other statutory obligations.
It added that it spent approximately GH¢8.8 billion on procurement from Ghanaian businesses during the same period, with GH¢6.5 billion of that amount going directly to suppliers from host communities around the Tarkwa Mine.
Responding to concerns over community development, the company said the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation has invested more than US$110 million in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, enterprise development, environmental conservation, water and sanitation projects across its host communities.
Among the projects highlighted were the 33-kilometre Tarkwa-Damang asphalt road, the Tarkwa and Abosso Sports Stadium, the construction of more than 52 schools, scholarships for hundreds of students, the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence SmartLab, skills training programmes, healthcare facilities, water projects and other community infrastructure.
The company further noted that approximately 70% of employees at the Tarkwa Mine are recruited from host communities, while 99% of the workforce is made up of Ghanaians.
Gold Fields also defended its environmental record, saying responsible mining remains central to its operations.
According to the company, it has invested approximately US$46 million in progressive rehabilitation since 2016, spending an average of US$4.2 million annually on restoring mined-out areas.
It said rehabilitation is carried out alongside active mining and includes reforestation, biodiversity restoration and the development of reclaimed land for agricultural use by surrounding communities.
The company disclosed that more than 818,000 trees have been planted since 1998, while more than 33,000 seedlings are currently being nurtured in its nursery.
Gold Fields added that the Tarkwa Mine has maintained ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification for 23 years and International Cyanide Management Code certification for 18 years, while remaining compliant with Ghana’s environmental regulations through regular monitoring, independent audits and regulatory oversight.
On the lease renewal process, the company said it submitted its application to renew the Tarkwa mining leases in November 2025 and presented a detailed renewal proposal to the Government of Ghana in July 2026.
It explained that the proposal was developed after consultations with government, traditional authorities and community representatives, and incorporates many of the priorities raised during those engagements, including increasing local participation, expanding procurement opportunities, strengthening skills development and delivering greater long-term socio-economic benefits.
Gold Fields said it remains actively engaged in the renewal process and is awaiting feedback from the relevant authorities.
The company stressed that it respects Ghana’s legal framework governing mining lease renewals, noting that mineral resources belong to the State in trust for the people and that the renewal process is managed by government.
It said discussions with government would continue while maintaining open and respectful engagement with traditional authorities, employees, host communities and other stakeholders.
Gold Fields also argued that it remains best placed to continue operating the Tarkwa Mine, describing it as a far larger and more technically complex operation than many other mines in Ghana.
According to the company, the mine requires significant capital investment, specialised technical expertise and long-term operational capacity to ensure its sustainability.
It maintained that its financial strength, access to competitive financing and global mining experience position it to extend the life of the mine, protect jobs and sustain contributions to government and host communities throughout future mining cycles.
The company added that continued Gold Fields operatorship would also strengthen Ghanaian participation in the mining industry by creating more opportunities for local businesses, suppliers and skilled professionals while combining local expertise with international technology and investment.
Gold Fields said it fully supports Ghana’s ambition to increase local participation in the mining sector and maximise the benefits derived from the country’s mineral resources, but maintained that this should be pursued in a manner that protects investor confidence, upholds the rule of law, safeguards jobs and reinforces Ghana’s reputation as a preferred destination for international investment.
The company disclosed that it had recently met with the Apinto Divisional Council and would continue engaging the traditional authority on issues surrounding the lease renewal process.
It reaffirmed its commitment to Ghana, the Tarkwa Mine and the host communities that have supported its operations for more than three decades.
Read the statement in full below:
