Newmont Sets Up US$20million Fund To Fight Covid-19 Globally

Newmont Goldcorp has set up a US$20 million global fund to help its host communities, governments and employees around the world to combat the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

According to Mr. Bernard Wissels, the General Manager, Newmont Goldcorp Ahafo Mine, Ghana was among the countries across the globe qualified to access the funds to support her efforts in fighting the deadly virus disease.

He said earlier this year Newmont supported Ghana's public health efforts with US$100,000 to minimise the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

Mr. Wissels disclosed this when on behalf of the Ahafo Mine presented personal protective equipment (PPEs) to protect health officials and workers of the Sunyani Regional Hospital from contracting the COVID-19 and to stem the spread of the virus.

The PPE comprise 900 pieces of N95 respirators, 5,000 pieces of surgical face masks, 500 reusable face masks, three digital pulse oximeters, a thermometer gun, 120 rolls of tissue towels as well as a number of storage and veronica buckets.

Mr. Wissels said the Ahafo Mine has contributed US$20,000 to the Asutifi North District Assembly's relief efforts towards the provision of PPEs, personal hygiene items, community sensitization on COVID-19 among others.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will be implementing additional interventions with the Ahafo Mine's share of the fund to support our communities in preventing the spread and managing the impact of the disease”, he said.

“As a company that exists to create value and improve lives through our operations, it is our hope these items will be put to good use and that our contribution will go a long way to facilitate the work of our frontline workers in fighting COVID-19 in our district and region”, Mr. Wissels said.

Dr. Kofi Amoh-Kodieh, the Deputy Director, Clinical at the Bono Regional Directorate of Health, who received the PPEs, thanked the mining company for the support and appealed to other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture.

---GNA