Newmont Suriname sees opportunities to give small-scale gold miners access to other sources of income alongside mining. Consideration is being given to agricultural programmes, cooperation through cooperatives and possible partnerships with the government and small-scale miners.
The subject was raised on Friday during President Jennifer Simons’ visit to the Merian gold mine, where Newmont marked ten years of commercial production in Suriname and the production of four million ounces of gold.
According to Newmont, the development of areas where natural resources are extracted should also consider opportunities that can generate income for local and small-scale miners in the longer term. Agriculture is mentioned as a possible alternative economic activity.
One possibility is to set up agricultural programmes for small-scale miners. Consideration is also being given to a fund and organising participants into cooperatives. Cooperation with the government would be needed for its implementation, while partnerships with the small-scale gold miners themselves are also among the possibilities.
President asks about cooperation
President Jennifer Simons also asked during the meeting about Newmont’s current cooperation with small-scale miners and the way in which the company implements its strategy for this sector. Shirley Sowma-Sumter, Director External Relations and Country Manager of Newmont Suriname, said in response that the company maintains regular contact with the small-scale miners.
“We have regular contact. About a year or two ago, we gave a brief presentation on our RSM (Relationship Stakeholder Management) strategy. We agreed to periodically exchange information on new developments,” Sowma-Sumter said. According to her, consultations are intensified when new opportunities or bottlenecks arise. Newmont can provide support where there is a need for it. “If there are opportunities in which we can provide support and this can be used, then of course we are in contact and provide that support,” Sowma-Sumter said.
Proud of cooperation
Sowma-Sumter said Newmont is positive about the way its relationship with the small-scale miners has developed. “I must say that we are proud of the way cooperation with the RSMs is progressing.” At the same time, she stressed that circumstances may differ for each gold company and that relationships with small-scale miners and other stakeholders may also vary.
“Not every gold company operates under the same circumstances or has the same relationship with the various stakeholders. In any case, we try to implement our RSM strategy. We do this not only with our own colleagues, but also with other stakeholders.”
The remarks align with the broader approach in which Newmont, alongside gold mining, also considers economic opportunities for communities and small-scale miners. According to this approach, developing alternative sources of income, including agriculture, should contribute to opportunities that are not solely dependent on gold mining.
