annexc - Newmont Mining Corporation

Annex C7 -- Socioeconomics Supplemental Information C7 - 11
Sanitation
The International SOS survey, as cited in GRRL (2008), found that in 2005, 89 percent of
the surveyed population in the Study Area had access to toilet facilities:
� Of these, 63 percent had access to improved sanitation facilities:
• 31.1 percent ventilated improved pit latrine (VIP/KVIP)
• 34.8 percent pit latrine with a slab (covered pit latrine)
� 33.7 percent had access to unimproved sanitation facilities:
• 22.6 percent open pit latrine.
Solid Waste Management
The International SOS survey, as cited in GRRL (2008), found that in 2005, the respondents
interviewed disposed of their household waste in the following manner:
� 66 percent throw it on the communal dump
� 13 percent dump it within their own compound
� 13 percent dump it in the street
� 3 percent burn it, and
� 3 percent bury it.
Electrical System
Under the Ghanaian Self Help Electrification Project, electricity has been extended to all
settlements in the Study Area and Yaw Tano, the largest of the hamlets in the Proposed
Mining Area.
Communications Network
A government post office and some commercial telephones are located in New Abirem.
Yayaaso, Adausena and Hweakwa have some fixed telephone lines (GRRL 2008). All the
Study Area communities have access to a mobile telephone network.
In 2006, the Company commissioned the construction of a communications tower, located
between New Abirem and Adausena, to improve communications in the area. The cost
involved was $300,000 USD and as it is permanent infrastructure, the tower will remain in
the area even if the Project does not go ahead.
Safety and Security
Police and fire-fighting infrastructure is limited in the Study Area. There are no fire
personnel or equipment. There are three police stations in the Study Area, at New Abirem,
Afosu and Ntronang. Traditional authority structures generally deal with many of the local
disputes and conflicts, and only serious crimes are reported to the police.
In general the types of crimes reported are minor (petty theft, verbal assaults, etc.) but
there is concern among residents that an influx of strangers to the area will increase levels
Akyem Gold Mining Project November 2008 FINAL EIS