Kenneth Ashigbey
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has said Gold Fields Ghana Limited’s Tarkwa Mine in the Western Region has materially met the terms and conditions of its mining lease, which should pave the way for its extension in accordance with the nation’s mining laws.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber, Kenneth Ashigbey, said an objective assessment of the company’s compliance with the lease conditions showed that it had substantially fulfilled its obligations.
“So, the question we should ask is: Has Gold Fields materially met the terms of its lease? My answer, and that of any objective reviewer of the facts, will be a resounding yes,” he said.
Mr. Ashigbey made the remarks at the 2026 Zone Three Inter-Mine First Aid and Safety Competition hosted by Gold Fields Ghana Limited under the theme “Safety First, Safety Always.”
He said the Chamber believed that where a responsible mining company had materially complied with the conditions of its lease and was prepared to continue investing in Ghana, renewal and constructive engagement should be preferred to unnecessary uncertainty.
He therefore called on chiefs and leaders of Gold Fields’ host communities to deepen their engagement with the company and protect the partnership built over decades.
“Put your expectations on the table. Ask Gold Fields to put its commitments on the table. Let Government and the Minerals Commission play their respective roles,” he said.
“Let us find a common ground that protects the legitimate interests of the people of Tarkwa while preserving the investment, employment and economic ecosystem that has been built in Tarkwa.”
Mr. Ashigbey acknowledged that while some chiefs had called for the renewal of Gold Fields’ lease, others had advocated against renewal when the current lease expires.
He said the Chamber respected the right of traditional authorities and citizens to express their views on the future of resources in their communities but urged stakeholders to consider the broader economic implications.
“We must look at the need for security of tenure of mining leases. Mining is a long-term, capital-intensive and complex undertaking,” he stressed.
According to him, mining companies invest hundreds of millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars based on the expectation that they will operate for decades. Such investments include processing plants, equipment, roads, power and other infrastructure, as well as employee training, supplier development, community relations and exploration.
He said investors required confidence in the stability and predictability of Ghana’s legal and regulatory environment.
However, he stressed that security of tenure did not give mining companies an unconditional right to resources.
“Companies must comply with Ghana’s laws, fulfil the conditions of their leases, meet environmental and social obligations, protect workers and respect host communities,” he said.
Mr Ashigbey said where an investor had materially fulfilled its obligations, it should have confidence that Ghana would apply its laws fairly and predictably.
“That confidence matters not only to Gold Fields. Every mining company currently operating in Ghana is watching,” he added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa