Newmont accepts outcome of investigations into tragic incident
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) has welcomed the outcome of investigations into the tragic accident at its Ahafo Mine plant site that left six miners dead.
It said it fully accepted the findings by the Minerals Commission and that it would learn lessons from what happened and take the necessary measures to prevent any such future mishap.
This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by Adiki O. Ayitevie, Senior Director, Communications and External Relations of the multi-national company, and Agbeko Azumah, Manager, Communications and External Relations of the Ahafo Mine.
“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”, it quoted Alwyn Pretorius, Regional Senior Vice President of Newmont Africa, as saying.
He added that the company appreciated the effort of the Commission and other stakeholders and the thorough investigation into the causes of “the tragic construction accident”.
The Inspectorate Division of the Commission submitted its findings to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, which had since been publicly released.
The statement said the company would work closely with the Commission to follow up on each of the instructions in the report.
“This tragic accident stands as a sobering reminder that we must forever remain vigilant in continually improving our safety culture.”
Detailed action plans would be developed to address the findings in the report and to integrate the lessons across its business, while also sharing those lessons with industry.
The statement said construction work at the AME project where the incident occurred remained suspended until Newmont and the authorities were satisfied that work could resume safely.
It would also continue to provide support to the grieving families, give counselling to the employees of the construction contractors and the entire workforce at Ahafo as it finalized a long-term, comprehensive and sustainable financial assistance package for the families of the deceased miners.
The construction accident occurred at the Newmont’s Ahafo mill expansion project on April 07, killing six persons, who were working inside the surface reclaim facility at the company’s plant site in Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District.
Two other workers were hurt.
Source: GNA