Newmont Ghana Gold Limited says its Ahafo Operation is one of the first mines in Ghana and in Africa to be certified as fully compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) by the International Cyanide Management Institute.
This, it said in a statement released in Accra on Thursday, confirmed its core value of "demonstrating leadership in safety, stewardship of the environment and social responsibility".
According to Newmont Ghana's Regional Vice President for Environment and Social Responsibility, Mr. Nick Cotts, the mine was initially certified as compliant in March 2008.
"In order to become certified as fully compliant by the ICMI, Newmont Ghana completed both the pre-operational and operational certification process using independent auditors to ensure compliance with the Code requirements."
It said the process began with the International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI) receiving and accepting a Detailed Audit Findings Report of Newmont Ghana's Ahafo Operation.
The Detailed Audit Findings Report, which was prepared by an independent third-party auditor, involved evaluating Newmont's Ahafo Operation in line with the ICMI's Verification Protocol, it said.
"The Mine was found in full compliance with the Code's Principles and Standards of Practice."
Mr Cotts said being certified compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code was not a 'one off thing'.
"The Ahafo Operation will be subsequently re-audited every three years to evaluate the Mine's continued compliance with the Code. Our Operations team has worked hard to meet the strict procedures required by this Code and their efforts have been rewarded with Code certification and we recognize their efforts," Cotts said.
"Here in Ghana and at all of Newmont Mining Corporation's mines and projects, we operate our mines consistent with our value of leadership in safety, stewardship of environment and social responsibility. This certification reinforces Newmont's commitment to demonstrating its vision of being "The Gold Company of Choice through industry leading practice," he said.
Newmont Mining Corporation established a target to certify mine operations listed with the ICMC by the end of 2009. To date, seven Newmont mining facilities have become certified under the International Cyanide Management Code including the Lone Tree and Twin Creeks Mines in the USA, Yanacocha in Peru, and the Ahafo mine in Ghana.
The International Cyanide Management Code, also known as the Cyanide Code, is a voluntary program adopted by the gold mining industry to promote responsible management of cyanide which is extensively used in gold mining.
The Code seeks to enhance the protection of human health, and also to reduce the potential for environmental impacts.
The Code was developed under the umbrella of the United Nations Environment Program by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee and it is intended to complement gold companies' compliance with the applicable laws and regulations governing their operations.