Gold Fields Ghana has mounted a strong defence of its application to renew the Tarkwa mining lease, insisting it has been a responsible partner to Ghana for more than three decades and remains best placed to lead the mine’s next phase of development. The statement comes amid growing public debate over the future of the Tarkwa mine following recent comments by the Apinto Divisional Council on the lease renewal process. In a statement issued on Monday, the company said the position attributed to the council “is not reflective of Gold Fields’ long-standing partnership with traditional authorities and host communities at Tarkwa, nor of the significant investment made in community development over many years and significant taxes and royalties paid to Government.” Gold Fields said it has maintained regular engagement with traditional authorities and community representatives through established structures, including the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee, where issues relating to mining operations, environmental management, rehabilitation, community investment and lease renewal have been discussed.
The company argued that the Tarkwa Mine continues to make a major contribution to Ghana’s economy, stating that “approximately 74 cents of every dollar of value generated by the mine remains in Ghana” through taxes, royalties, dividends to government, salaries, local procurement and community investment. It disclosed that in 2025 alone it paid about GH¢5.8 billion in corporate taxes, royalties, dividends and other statutory payments, while spending about GH¢8.8 billion on local procurement across Ghana, including GH¢6.5 billion with suppliers from host communities. Gold Fields also highlighted its investments in community development through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, saying more than US$110 million has been invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agriculture, enterprise development and environmental conservation.
According to the company, these projects include the 33-kilometre Tarkwa-Damang asphalt road, the Tarkwa and Abosso Sports Stadium, more than 52 schools, scholarships, an Artificial Intelligence SmartLab and several healthcare and water projects. On employment, the company said approximately 70% of workers at the Tarkwa mine come from host communities, while 99% of its workforce is Ghanaian. Gold Fields Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to responsible mining, community partnership and long-term investment in Ghana as discussions over the renewal of the company’s Tarkwa mining leases continue.
The company, in a statement issued on July 27, said recent media reports suggesting opposition from the Apinto Divisional Council to the renewal of its mining leases did not reflect its longstanding relationship with traditional authorities and host communities or the significant economic and social investments it has made over the past three decades. Gold Fields said it had consistently engaged the Apinto Divisional Council and other stakeholders through established consultative platforms, including the Tarkwa Mine Community Consultative Committee and regular community forums, where issues relating to mining operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and lease renewal have been openly discussed. Economic contribution Highlighting its contribution to the national economy, the company said approximately 74 cents of every dollar of value generated by the Tarkwa Mine remains in Ghana through taxes, royalties, dividends to government, employee remuneration, local procurement and community investment.
According to the statement, Gold Fields paid about GH¢5.8 billion in corporate taxes, royalties, dividends and other statutory payments to the Government of Ghana in 2025. It also spent approximately GH¢8.8 billion on procurement from local businesses nationwide, including GH¢6.5 billion with suppliers from host communities. The company said the figures underscore its role as one of Ghana’s major contributors to economic growth, employment and local enterprise development.
Community investment Gold Fields said community development remained central to its operations through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, which has invested more than US$110 million in host communities. The investments span education, healthcare, agriculture, water and sanitation, enterprise development, environmental conservation and critical infrastructure. Among the projects undertaken are the 33-kilometre Tarkwa-Damang first-class asphalt road, the Tarkwa and Abosso Sports Stadium, the construction of more than 52 schools, scholarship schemes for hundreds of students, the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence SmartLab, healthcare facilities and water projects.
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