US-based gold major Newmont Mining Corporation will start production at its Akyem gold mine, in Ghana, in late 2013, CFO Russell Ball said earlier this month.

The Akyem gold project is located in the Brim North District of the eastern region of Ghana and has a measured and indicated 
reserve of 7,7-million ounces.

It is expected that the project, once mining has started, will have a life-of-mine of 15 years, Ball said at the Mining Indaba conference.

During the past five years, the Akyem project has been subject to a thorough 
environmental impact study, a public consultation process and an independent review process.

He reported that project leaders had 
engaged directly with several community 
representatives, nongovernmental organ-
isations, government agencies and international organisations to listen to their concerns about the social and environmental implications of project development, and to raise awareness about how issues were being tackled.

Following the completion of further economic and power analysis to ensure sustainability, the project will advance to its next phase of development.

The project is currently in the planning phase, with feasibility studies under way to assess the development requirements.

Ball told delegates that Newmont was optimistic about its gold prospects in Ghana and the company believed that assets and project developments in West Africa would be a significant part of its future business.

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