IFC backs controversial Ghana gold mine

News|Bretton Woods Project|8 April 2006|update 50|url
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On 31 January, the IFC approved a $125 million loan to Newmont Mining Corporation for the development of the Ahafo gold mine project in western Ghana. Ghanaian and international NGOs say the project has displaced 9,500 people and will displace a further 20,000. A number of people have been injured over compensation rows. Environmental concerns include depleted groundwater, contamination of water sources, and threats to biodiversity. "Newmont has not addressed the community concerns. Instead it has spent resources on research to support its public stance that the community problems are nonexistent", said Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, executive director of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining.

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Published: 8 April 2006 , last edited: 7 June 2007

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CounterBalance, a new European coalition of development and environmental non-governmental organisations formed specifically to challenge the European Investment Bank (EIB), has launched its website. The EIB is the world's largest public lender. Find out more about it from CounterBalance.