The Communications and External Relations Officer of Newmont Africa, Samuel Osei, has disclosed that a contractor security officer at their Ahafo Mine, who was reported missing from the evening of Wednesday, July 27, 2022, has been found.
The police, Newmont’s Emergency Team, Protea Coin Ghana, together with community volunteers had been conducted an extensive search for the missing security officer over the past four days.
According to a statement issued by Samuel Osei yesterday, a hunter found the missing man on Sunday, July 31, in a neighboring forest reserve, where he had travelled to. The statement said the lost but found man was now assisting the police with its investigations on his disappearance, while Newmont had arranged medical and psychological support for him.
The Acting General Manager of the Ahafo South Mine, Samuel Eshun, expressed his sincere gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank the joint search team which worked tirelessly over the last 72 hours to find the missing security officer.”
He gave the assurance that the safety and security of their workforce would continue to remain a priority, and as such, his outfit would review this incident thoroughly and ensure that the lessons learnt informed further enhancement of their security protocols and procedures.
Background
On Wednesday, July 27, at about 6.30pm, the security officer informed his colleague about using the washroom. After over 45 minutes of not returning to his duty post, his colleague reported his absence to the supervisors on duty.
The company notified the Minerals Commission which undertook an on-site fact-finding investigation. In collaboration with his community leaders, police, local government officials, family and community leaders, a joint search team was initiated to find the missing officer.
Newmont Africa Newmont Africa, a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation, is Ghana’s leading gold producer with two gold mining operations in the country: the Ahafo Mine in the Ahafo Region, and the Akyem Mine in the Eastern Region.
The company’s Ahafo North Project is preparing to commence construction activities following regulatory permitting approvals and extensive stakeholder engagements.
Newmont Africa currently employs over 8,000 employees and contractors.
