In a position statement released in 2010, ICMM's 19 member companies, including Newmont, made a formal commitment to "actively support or help develop partnerships or collaborations with other stakeholder groups" (governments, development agencies and civil society) in six key areas: poverty reduction, revenue management, regional development planning, local supply content, social investment, and dispute resolution.

Newmont Ghana Gold established a community development fund that has accumulated nearly $4 million to finance development activities in 10 Ahafo communities. The amount is based on the yearly contribution of 1 percent of the Ahafo Mine's annual net profit plus $1 for every ounce of gold mined at the site.

The Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation manages the fund, which was created from the Ahafo Social Responsibility Agreements. Approximately 24 percent of monies are allocated for human development and infrastructure projects, 23 percent for social amenities, 17 percent for natural resource protection, 12 percent for cultural heritage and 6 percent for sports.

Financial Management Classes for Farmers

Newmont Ghana taught financial management to more than 700 farmers who received compensation from the mine in the Birim North District. The courses were held to enable recipients to better manage their resources.

Loans for Seaweed Farms

Our operations at PTNNT and the regency government are funding seaweed farmers through neighborhood unit cooperatives. Small business loans are being provided without interest and collateral to encourage participation. If the seaweed industry is successful, the West Sumbaya Regent promised to build a seaweed processing plant in Kertasari.

PTNNT spends more than IDR50 billion annually for conducting various programs, including improvement of infrastructure, farming, education, health and other empowerment programs.

In recognition of 10 years of operating, PTNNT granted $38 million to support social development and welfare projects in the communities of west Nusa Tenggara, West Sumbawa and Sumbawa Regency.

A program called "Community Development and Empowerment" was created to manage the scope, quality, risks and schedule of all encompassed projects. Currently there are 79 outlined projects, which is expected to increase in 2011. Some examples of current projects include (there are currently 10 infrastructure and 10 non-physical projects):

• Sport Hall construction
• Camat Office construction
• Setup of survey and computer equipment
• Feasibility study for the Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP)
• Detailed Engineering Design for the Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP)
• Construction of Clean water project in Seteluk
• Construction of area lighting at KTC and installation of sound system at KTC Grand Mosque by PT Cakra Surya Jaya
• Construction of Benete Sekongkang road
• Construction of Taliwang Central Station access road and parking facility

A total of 109,410 person hours were expended on the program to date with no incidents or accidents.

Newmont Invests in Vocation School in Ghana

Newmont Ghana has given more than $150,000 annually since 2006 to refurbish the Gyedu Integrated Community Centre for Employable Skills and committed another approximately $1 million to train hundreds of additional youth under the Skills Development for Income Improvement Program.

Approximately 600 students have developed the skill sets they need to build wealth locally and provide services to the mine. The school provides training in catering, dressmaking, carpentry, masonry, welding and fabrication, electrical installation, and agriculture. Students who successfully complete the training program earn certificates from the National Vocational Training Institute.

Thousands of Children Receive Scholarships in Indonesia

More than 3,200 students have benefited from a decade-long scholarship program sponsored by PTNNT. The program supports a free education initiative for underprivileged children. In the 2010-2011 school year alone, PTNNT plans to award scholarships to 975 students and to provide education assistance to another 550 students in the form of school supplies, bags, uniforms and shoes.

Newmont Ghana donated 12 Yamaha motorbikes during 2010 to help farmers and agricultural specialists more efficiently establish and cultivate farms near the Akyem project, as part of the company's Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Program (AILAP).

Newmont will maintain and fuel the bikes for the next three years to help extension officers for both the Organization for Livelihoods Enhancement Services and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Birim North District travel to farms. The extension officers will help nearby farmers use more modern and scientific farming practices, which should yield greater crops.

Through the AILAP program, Newmont Ghana is supporting more than 1,800 affected farmers in the project area by providing farmers with skills training, improved planting material, fertilizer and cash incentives to ensure food security in the project area.

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