Newmont Mining Corporation, the parent company of Newmont Ghana, has become the first gold mining company selected to the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the seventh consecutive year. The 2013 DJSI World – Dow Jones' premier sustainability index – includes 333 global companies identified as leaders in the areas of sustainable economic, environmental and social performance. In 2007, Newmont became the first gold company included in the DJSI World and also has been included on the DJSI North America Index every year since 2006. DJSI World tracks the performance of 2,500 leading companies worldwide, independently evaluating their long-term economic, environmental and social performance. The top 10% of performers are selected from among 59 industry groups. “I am pleased once again, that our employees have demonstrated commitment to our vision, mission and values, which again has led to the recognition from such a reputable, independent organisation as the DJSI World”, said Dave Schummer, Regional Senior Vice President for Africa Operations. . "Thanks to the efforts of Newmont Ghana’semployees and those from other Newmont operations around the worldforcollaborating with stakeholders to increase the shared value we create through our operations,” he added. In 2006, Newmont Ghana in partnership with 10 communities around the Ahafo mine area signed an agreement to contribute US$1 per ounce of gold sold and 1% of annual net profit from its mining operation into a Fund for sustainable development of the company’s host communities. The Fund, the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), has so far accumulated about US$17 million for sustainable development projects including community libraries, schools, teachers’ quarters, micro-credit schemes and scholarships. A similar foundation is being set up to fund sustainable development programmes in host communities around the Akyem Project.