Resolution of Participants at the Three Day Workshop Organised in Obuasi by the WASSA Assocation of

Resolution of Participants at the Three Day Workshop Organised in Obuasi by the WASSA Assocation of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) and DKA from 2nd to the 4th June 2005

We the participants affected by the operations of Anglo Gold Ashanti, Obuasi and Newmont Ghana limited (Ahafo mine) deliberated on a number of issues affecting our communities at a three-day workshop organised by WACAM with the support of DKA (a Catholic charity organisation in Austria)

We hereby resolve as follows:

DIALOGUE PROCESS BETWEEN ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI AND OBUASI COMMUNITIES / WACAM

We wish to recall that, AngloGold Ashanti committed itself to a dialogue process to address the complaints of communities affected by its operations when the mining communities and WACAM engaged in a campaign on the problems of communities affected by the operations of AngloGold Ashanti. We express grave disappointment about the attitude of AngloGold Ashanti in respect of the dialogue process. AngloGold Ashanti had refused to respond to the communities’ complaints presented to the company since August 2004. We have realised that AngloGold Ashanti is not committed to the dialogue process and this is indicative of the insensitive of AngloGold Ashanti to the plight of the affected communities in Obuasi

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

We express deep concern about the effects of the mining operations of AngloGold Ashanti and Newmont Ghana Limited on water bodies and rivers. We wish to draw attention to pollution of River San and Fena and many others, which have deprived communities like Hia, Akatakyieso, Kwabrafoso, and Dokyiwa of their sources of drinking water. The dam created on river Jimi has brought untold hardships to the people of Jimiso including increased mosquitoes and the threats that reptiles like snakes and crocodiles pose to the people of Jimiso. We are concerned about cyanide spillages into streams from tailings impoundments of AngloGold Ashanti in Dokyiwa and the discharge of cyanide and heavy metals contaminants into abandoned pits at Binsere.

We express concern about the mountains of waste dumps in Obuasi and its surrounding areas like Sanso created by mining operations of AngloGold Ashanti. These pose great health hazards to the residents of Obuasi as evidenced by the increased skin and respiratory diseases in places like Kwabrafoso and Anyimadukrom. We are unhappy about the abandoned pits of AngloGold Ashanti, which poses a threat to the lives of people living in Anyankyirem, Akatakyieso, Binsere and Adaase. AngloGold Ashanti has only protected these pits with bamboo fences. Communities like Sansu, Odumasi, Akatekyiso and Nhyieso have their buildings cracked because of surface mining activities of Ashanti Goldfields Company now AngloGold Ashanti. Similarly, the dam created on river Subiri by Newmont Ghana Limited in Kenyasi has deprived some communities of their sources of drinking water and the company is insensitive to the plight of the communities. We express deep concern about the near famine condition and poverty in Amamom occasioned by the compulsory acquisition of lands from farmers by AngloGold Ashanti.

COMPENSATIONS

We express dissatisfaction with the low compensation paid by mining companies when their operations affect crops and building of poor mining communities. We identified poverty, illiteracy as factors that expose mining communities to manipulations, which results in payment of very low compensations to affected farmers. These have exacerbated the poverty of mining communities. We express dissatisfaction with the low compensations paid by Newmont Ghana Limited to the farmers affected by its Ahafo mine and equally blame AngloGold Ashanti for paying very low compensations to farmers. In some cases, no compensation is paid for destroyed properties. We condemn the extension of the moratorium on farming by Newmont Ghana Limited to cover areas in Kenyasi and its surroundings, which was not part of the original areas where farming activities were not to be undertaken (moratorium). In our estimation, Newmont Ghana Limited is only using the extension of the Moratorium to avoid payment of compensation to some affected farmers.

HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

We express concerns about the human rights abuses in mining communities and call on the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to expedite action on investigations into allegations of human rights abuses of mining companies against mining communities. We condemn in no uncertain terms the use of guard dogs on suspects that are arrested for trespassing on mining concessions. Since the introductions of such lawless acts on communities, other multinational companies operating in the country are copying the practise. We question the legality of the existence of private cells by some mining companies, such as AngloGold Ashanti especially when there had been allegations of brutalities against suspects in such private cells of mining companies. e.g. AngloGold Ashanti

RESETTLEMENT

We express dissatisfaction with the resettlement of some communities in the Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana Limited with respect to the reduction in the number of rooms of the affected families

IMPACTS OF EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES OF RANGOLD AND WESTCHESTER MINE ON COMMUNITIES

We express concern that Rangold and Westchester Mines are undertaking exploratory activities in communities and destroying communities’ properties without prior discussions and payment of compensations. This has affected communities like Kwabena Kwah, Mile 14, Atia, Mile 15 and Manpamhwe etc.

In conclusion, we affirm our resolve to use all legal means to protect our rights and dignity

Signed

Nicholas Asante …………………………………………………….

Ofosu Donkoh …………………………………………………….

Joseph Ndah …………………………………………………….

(Representing Communities affected by the operations of AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine)

Abdalllah Salifu ……………………………………………………….

Adusah Yakubu ………………………………………………………..

N. K. Poakwah ……………………………………………………….

(Representing Communities Affected by the operations of Newmont Ghana Limited, Ahafo Mine)