The Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, today inaugurated the Newmont Ahafo North Mine, an addition to Newmont Ahafo South Mine at Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District, which has been in operation since 2006,
The occasion was graced by Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, and a host of several other chiefs.
The Vice-president was accompanied by her Chief of Staff, Alex Segbefia; the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah and the Ahafo Regional Minister, Charity Gardiner.
The Ahafo North Mine, located at Afrisipakrom (along the main Sunyani-Kumasi highway) poured gold for the first time on September 19, 2025, and is expected to produce approximately 50,000 ounces of gold by the end of this year, with production up-scaling through 2026 to achieve full operational capacity.
It hopes to deliver between 275,000 and 325,000 ounces of gold annually over a 13-year mine life, making it a cornerstone asset in Newmont’s global portfolio.
Opening the mine, the Vice-President commended Newmont for supporting the government’s Big PUSH Agenda by committing a huge amount of money towards the reconstruction of the 46-kilometer Sunyani – Ntotroso – Acherensua road.
She said the Ahafo North Mine, with an initial investment exceeding one billion US dollars, demonstrates that Ghana offers the stability and the capacity for global investments.
Challenges
Prof. Nana Opoku-Agyeman noted that the country’s mining sector is bedeviled with several challenges, hence the need for environmental and social responsibility.
For his part, the CEO of Newmont, Tom Palmer, stated that the Ahafo North Mine will significantly contribute to Ghana’s economy through the provision of employment for thousands of people, while generating substantial revenue for the government, and creating opportunities for local businesses and suppliers.
“But beyond these contributions, this operation represents our commitment to responsible mining practices that protect the environment, respect local customs and traditions, an also create lasting value for all stakeholders” he added.
Standards
According to him, Newmont is committed to the highest standards to safety, environmental stewardship and community engagement, adding that the company will continue to prioritize local employment and procurement, invest in community development programmes and work closely with traditional authorities and the government to ensure that the benefits of mine are shared broadly and sustainably.
Earlier in his welcoming remarks, the Country Manager of Newmont, Danquah Addo-Yobo said the Ahafo mine is more than mining operation as it represents an enduring commitment to responsible and sustainable mining to creating opportunities for Ghanaians, and to contributing meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic development,
“We have started to see these during the project phase where our presence and investment in this enclave have contributed to the upliftment of local communities and livelihoods through employment, local business creation, skills development and social interventions”, he further said.
Ahafo North Mine
Ahafo North represents Newmont’s third mining investment in Ghana and, following the divestment of the Akyem mine in April 2025, establishes the company’s second operational site in the country, expanding Newmont’s existing footprint with four open pit mines and a stand-alone mill.
Located approximately 50 kilometers from Newmont’s existing Ahafo South operation, the Ahafo North mine, operational leverages created substantial economic opportunities, generating approximately 4,500 contracted jobs during construction and establishing approximately 560 permanent and 1,000 contracted positions for ongoing operations.
