With the socio-economic impact of mining constantly in dispute, Newmont Ghana has taken a bold step to offer a more scientific approach in dealing with the subject and it used its Ahafo mine in the Brong Ahafo Region as a case study. The mine which started commercial operations in Ghana in 2006 had employed 1,800 direct workers as at 2009. It also produced 531,470 ounces of gold which is equivalent to 17.0% of Ghana’s total production with a corresponding revenue amounting to USD $528 million. These were some of the findings by an international consulting firm, Steward Redqueen based in Netherlands. The firm was contracted by Newmont Ghana to provide a more scientific and reliable data on the socio-economic impact of mines in Ghana. After six months of rigorous research in 2009 by the firm led by Prof Ethan Kapstein and Dr. Rene Kim, the findings were made public at a short, albeit, revealing ceremony in Accra on Thursday. Prof Kapstein said the report findings, which is independent of Newmont Ghana, is to enrich the debate - most of which have been driven by emotions rather than fact - on the socio-economic impact of mining in Ghana. According to him, quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from the mine site and were taken through the “Input-Output Table and Social Accounting Matrix of Ghana in order to generate estimates of the mine’s effect on such macro-economic variables as employment, tax revenues, household incomes, the balance of payments and supplier profits.” The findings, Prof Kapstein noted is much greater than expected and may hopefully put to rest doubts about the socio-economic impact of mining in Ghana. Of the $528 million generated in gold export by Newmont Ghana, USD $196 million of it remained in the Ghanaian economy and was spent on local procurements, payments to government and salaries. “Payment to the government- taxes and royalties- amounted to nearly $40 million which is equal to nearly 1% of the government’s domestic revenues. The $75 million of capital investments made by NGGL are equal to about 4.5% of the 1.67 billion in direct investments in Ghana recorded in 2009 by the Bank of Ghana,” the report said. The mine’s operations have had direct and indirect benefits to its employees. Household income to workers, the report noted, amounted to $92 million with the total Value Added Component [household income+savings+ tax income] amounting to $174 million. Prof Kapstein however stated that the report did not capture the environmental and health impact of the mine and hoped Newmont Ghana will take another bold step to open its doors for another research to be conducted. Speaking to Myjoyonline.com shortly after the outdooring of the report, Prof Kapstein dismissed fears the report may have been altered to suit the overwhelming desire of Newmont Ghana, saying, “I am an academic. This reports have my name on it and they have to pass master with my colleagues. All I have got is my reputation and I have to do rigorous research.” Prof Kapstein noted the lack of data on labour by the government, to a large extent, hampered a smooth research and recommended a labour survey that will provide reliable data for researchers. He strongly recommended to Newmont to ponder over life after the mine. He was convinced the life of the Ahafo mine is limited and agriculture should be vigorously considered.