Tarkwa is a major asset for Gold Fields, accounting for about a fifth of its global gold production.
Gold Fields' discussions with the Ghana government are currently focused on the terms of the Tarkwa mining lease, despite calls from within the country to suspend the lease renewal due to attacks on Ghanaians in South Africa.
Ghana's government is facing pressure to act against South African firms following a wave of xenophobic protests in Africa’s biggest economy. More than 2,700 people from Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Malawi have already been assisted in returning home from South Africa amid fears that anti-immigrant demonstrations could escalate.
A few weeks ago, the Ghana First Alliance movement, which held public protests, appealed to the Ghana government not to renew the Tarkwa mining lease in 2027 when it expires, as reported by the Ghanaian Times. Their petition was a direct response to the unprovoked xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians based in South Africa.
The Institute of Economic Affairs in Ghana has also called for the leases not to be renewed. Earlier this year, the Ghana government decided not to renew Gold Fields’ Damang mine lease. Tarkwa is a major asset for Gold Fields, accounting for about a fifth of its global gold production.
