Newmont Ghana Limited says it will address all findings outlined in the investigative committee’s report on its Ahafo mine expansion project.
According to the company’s Regional Senior Vice President for Newmont Africa, Alwyn Pretorius, the firm will work to prevent the incident from happening again.
“We are all devastated by the loss of six colleagues and will carefully study the report so we may learn from the accident, address its findings and take steps to prevent this from happening again” portions of a statement released by the company on Monday said.
Newmont has also assured of close collaboration with the Minerals Commission as it follows up on each of the instructions in the report.
“We will work closely with the Minerals Commission to follow up on each of the instructions in their report.This tragic accident stands as a sobering reminder that we must forever remain vigilant in continually improving our safety culture,” it said.
The company added,
“…detailed action plans will be developed to address the findings in the report and to integrate the lessons across its business, while also sharing those lessons with industry.”
Newmont and its two other sub-contractors have been fined a total of 2.7 million dollars for their respective roles in the accident that claimed six lives at the mining firm’s Ahafo mine site in Kenyasi No. 2.
The fatalities occurred when the roof of a mine site that the sub-contracted employees were working on, caved in.
The committee, which worked under the mandate of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources again charged the company to duly compensate the families of the deceased while providing the necessary workmen compensation to the injured.
Responding to these, Newmont further said that construction work at the Ahafo mine expansion site remains suspended until Newmont and the authorities are satisfied that work can resume safely.
It also maintains of its continuous support to the grieving families which it intends to establish a long-term, comprehensive and sustainable financial assistance package for such families.
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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
