Residents and representatives of communities hosting Gold Fields Ghana Limited’s Tarkwa Mine have formally petitioned the government to renew the company’s five mining leases before their expiration in April 2027. The petition, addressed to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources through the Minerals Commission, calls for an early decision on the renewal application to provide certainty for the mine, its employees, contractors, and businesses that depend on its operations. The appeal is driven by concerns about the potential impact of the lease extension on local livelihoods and the sustainability of the Tarkwa area’s economy.
The petition, initiated by assembly members, teachers, youth leaders, contractors, traders, farmers, and other community members, highlights a history of witnessing both the benefits and challenges associated with mining in the Tarkwa area. According to the petition, Gold Fields submitted its application in November 2025 and is seeking an extension beyond the current lease period, a request that the residents are urging the government to expedite. The petitioners emphasize the importance of continuity in the operations of the Tarkwa Mine, given its significant economic and social value to the local community and the well-being of residents and businesses within its host communities.
The petition cites Gold Fields’ published 2024 operational figures, which the residents state recorded 568 employees and 5,092 contractors at the Tarkwa operation, with 71% of their workforce drawn from host communities. Furthermore, the petition underscores the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s social investments, noting that the Foundation had invested over US$110 million in projects and programmes serving communities around the Tarkwa and Damang mines as of 2025. These investments encompass education, health, water and sanitation, agriculture, and infrastructure, including road redevelopment, the creation of the Girls’ Dormitory at HUNIVAS, and the rehabilitation of mined-out areas.
The residents are advocating for the mine’s employment, social investment, environmental management, and compliance with all applicable regulations, stressing that the government should consider the company’s record as part of the lease-renewal process. They are calling for a more proactive approach to ensuring the mine’s long-term viability, including stronger commitments from Gold Fields on Ghanaian participation, including local procurement, employment, skills transfer, enterprise development, and community benefits. The petition was signed on behalf of the residents and host communities by the Assembly Member for New Atuabo, Hon. Nsor, and community representative Nana Kwasi Ansah of Huniso, highlighting the collective desire for a swift and decisive resolution to the lease renewal process.
The petition comes against the backdrop of growing public debate concerning the future of the Tarkwa mine, with a section of the Apinto Divisional Council recently calling for non-renewal and a transfer to a Ghanaian-owned mining company. While acknowledging this position, the petitioners argue that a renewed lease could instead serve as a mechanism for government to secure commitments on Ghanaian participation, including local procurement, employment, skills transfer, enterprise development, and community benefits. The petition is a crucial step in seeking a balance between the company’s operational needs and the interests of the Tarkwa community, and the government is now tasked with evaluating the legal and regulatory requirements, economic considerations, and environmental impact of this crucial decision.
The current leases are due to expire in April 2027. The petition was initially initiated on July 24, 2026, when a segment of the Apinto Divisional Council urged government not to renew the Gold Fields lease and instead proposed handing over the operation to a Ghanaian-owned mining company. However, the petition has been echoed by chiefs and residents of Huniso, who host more than 70% of the Tarkwa mine. The petition rejects a false choice between Gold Fields’ continued operation and increased Ghanaian ownership of the mining sector, arguing that a renewed lease could instead be used to secure stronger commitments from the company on Ghanaian participation, including local procurement, employment, skills transfer, enterprise development, and community benefits. The residents are urging the government to base its decision on the law, regulatory compliance, economic considerations, environmental performance, and the interests of host communities, and to prioritize the long-term well-being of the Tarkwa community.
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Source: Adom Online
