Newmont Ghana Gold Limited says its Ahafo Operation in Ghana has been certified for fully complying with the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) by the International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI).

This was contained in a statement released in Accra on Thursday to confirm its core value of “demonstrating leadership in safety, stewardship of the environment and social responsibility”.

According to Newmont Ghana’s Regional Vice President for Environment and Social Responsibility, Mr. Nick Cotts, the mine was initially certified as compliant in March 2008.

“In order to become certified as fully compliant by the ICMI, Newmont Ghana completed both the pre-operational and operational certification process using independent auditors to ensure compliance with the Code requirements.”

It said the process began with the ICMI receiving and accepting a Detailed Audit Findings Report of Newmont Ghana’s Ahafo Operation prepared by an independent third-party auditor, which involved evaluating Newmont’s Ahafo Operation in line with the ICMI's Verification Protocol.

“The mine was found in full compliance with the Code's Principles and Standards of Practice.”

Mr. Cotts said, “The Ahafo Operation will be subsequently re-audited every three years to evaluate the mine’s continued compliance with the Code”.

“Here in Ghana and at all of Newmont Mining Corporation’s mines and projects, we operate our mines consistent with our value of leadership in safety, stewardship of environment and social responsibility. This certification reinforces Newmont’s commitment to demonstrating its vision of being “The Gold Company of Choice through industry leading practice,” he said.

The company hopes to certify mine operations listed with the ICMC by the end of 2009. To date, seven Newmont mining facilities have been certified under the International Cyanide Management Code including the Lone Tree and Twin Creeks Mines in the USA, Yanacocha in Peru, and the Ahafo mine in Ghana.

The International Cyanide Management Code, also known as the Cyanide Code, is a voluntary program adopted by the gold mining industry to promote responsible management of cyanide which is extensively used in gold mining.

The Code seeks to enhance the protection of human health, and also to reduce the potential for environmental impacts.

The Code was developed under the umbrella of the United Nations Environment Program by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee and it is intended to complement gold companies’ compliance with the applicable laws and regulations governing their operations.


GNA