Successful Engagement in Land Use Compensation Negotiation for Akyem Mine Lease Extension

In 2025, the Organization for Livelihood Enhancement Services (OLIVES) made a significant contribution to sustainable mining governance and community rights by facilitating the professional valuation services required for the Akyem Deprivation of Land Use (DLU) Compensation Negotiation process. This initiative was not merely a procedural obligation; it was a pivotal moment aimed at addressing the complex dynamics between mining operations and the rights of local communities affected by such activities. The role of OLIVES in this context underscored the importance of integrating professional expertise into negotiations that have far-reaching implications for community livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

Following the extension of Newmont Golden Ridge Limited’s (NGRL) mining lease by an additional 12 years, a fresh round of compensation negotiations was mandated by the Minerals and Mining (Compensation and Resettlement) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2175). This regulatory framework necessitated NGRL to renegotiate compensation for the deprivation of land use with Project Affected Persons (PAPs) across ten host communities, which included Afosu, New Abirem, Adjenua, Mamanso, Old Abirem, Yayaaso, Adausena, Hweakwae, Ntronang, Yaw Tano, and several surrounding hamlets. The extension of the mining lease not only extended the operational timeline of the mining activities but also raised significant concerns among the affected communities regarding their rights, livelihoods, and the environmental impacts of prolonged mining operations.

OLIVES provided strategic and technical support by successfully engaging a Professional Valuer to lead Newmont’s negotiating team. This engagement was marked by a structured four-week process, spanning from May 26 to July 4, 2025. During this crucial period, the Valuer played a central role in various key activities that were instrumental in shaping the negotiation landscape:

• Providing expert leadership and technical direction throughout the negotiation process, ensuring that discussions were rooted in sound valuation principles and best practices.

• Ensuring that the negotiation outcomes were legally compliant, equitable, and aligned with national laws on land acquisition and resettlement, thereby reinforcing the legal framework that protects community rights.

• Conducting comprehensive research and fact-finding missions to gather relevant data and insights that would support informed dialogue between Newmont and community representatives, thereby fostering a mutual understanding of the issues at hand.

• Supporting the preparation of detailed valuation reports and documentation required for transparent compensation agreements, which served as a foundation for accountability and trust in the negotiation outcomes.

• Assisting in stakeholder engagement, including building the negotiation capacity of the community-appointed Valuer and committee members, empowering them to actively participate in the negotiation process and advocate for their rights.

Through OLIVES’ coordination and oversight, the negotiation process contributed to transparent, fair, and informed negotiations, ultimately safeguarding the rights of PAPs while enabling responsible mining operations. This intervention not only highlights OLIVES’ commitment to inclusive development and rights-based negotiation but also emphasizes the importance of community-centered natural resource governance in Ghana. The successful outcome of these negotiations is a testament to the potential for collaborative approaches in addressing the challenges faced by communities impacted by mining, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are upheld in the face of industrial expansion.