For nearly three decades, the lands of Apinto have yielded significant quantities of gold. However, traditional leaders say the communities hosting the mining operations have seen limited benefits compared to the scale of the environmental degradation and economic activity generated by the mine.
The Apinto Divisional Council, the traditional authority representing the land on which Gold Fields Ghana’s Tarkwa Mine operates, has announced its opposition to the renewal of the company’s mining lease when it expires in April 2027.
The chiefs have also presented an alternative proposal for the establishment of a Ghanaian-owned mining operation based on what they describe as an “Apinto Shared Prosperity Model.”
The announcement follows a tour of the mining area by members of the Council earlier this week. According to the chiefs, more than 4,000 hectares of Apinto land have been degraded as a result of mining activities.
The Council said the level of development provided by Gold Fields does not correspond with the extent of the environmental damage caused to the land.
It cited poor roads, inadequate educational facilities, insufficient healthcare services and high youth unemployment among the challenges facing communities that have hosted one of Ghana’s major gold mines for about 30 years.
The chiefs said the communities have been left with degraded farmlands and inadequate infrastructure, while some critical facilities, including a clinic, were constructed through the efforts of the traditional authorities rather than the mining company.
Push for Ghanaian Ownership
The Apinto Divisional Council’s position comes at a time when calls for greater Ghanaian ownership and control of the country’s mineral resources are gaining momentum.
The Council’s proposed “Apinto Shared Prosperity Proposal” is based on principles of history, justice, equity and sustainable development. It seeks to transform host communities from mere recipients of corporate social responsibility projects into genuine partners in the ownership, governance and benefits of mining operations.
The chiefs argue that a mine generating wealth from Apinto’s natural resources must also create lasting prosperity and sustainable development for the people whose land hosts the operation.
The proposal is also consistent with wider calls for increased Ghanaian participation in the ownership of the country’s mines. The Institute of Economic Affairs has advocated greater national ownership of Ghana’s mineral resources, while former Energy and Mines Committee Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, has argued that Ghana is ready to own and manage its own mines.
Lease Renewal Debate
Gold Fields’ Tarkwa Mine produced 14.8 tonnes of gold in 2025 and is estimated to have about 17 years of operational life remaining. The company is seeking a 20-year extension to its mining lease, which expires in April 2027.
Analysts say a formal opposition to the renewal by the traditional landowners could create significant challenges for Gold Fields, particularly as the debate over local ownership and the distribution of mining benefits intensifies.
Gold Fields has maintained that its record of investment provides a strong basis for the renewal of its lease. The Ghana Chamber of Mines has also warned that rejecting the renewal could affect investor confidence in the country’s mining sector.
However, the Apinto chiefs say the issue is no longer simply about attracting investment. They argue that after decades of mining activity, host communities must be given a greater stake in the wealth generated from their natural resources.
The Council has therefore called on Parliament, the Minerals Commission and the people of Ghana to give serious consideration to its proposal for a Ghanaian-owned mine.
The final decision on the future of the Tarkwa mining lease rests with the government. But with the Apinto Divisional Council formally opposing the renewal and growing calls for greater Ghanaian participation in the mining industry, the debate over who truly benefits from Ghana’s gold resources is set to intensify.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe