Coalition accuses mining companies of water pollution.

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday March 24, 2010
A coalition of civil society groups and environmental protection organizations have expressed concern about the way and manner in which mining companies and other illegal mining operations persistently destroy the environment, water bodies without any punitive action against them.

A news release was issued in Accra to coincide with this year’s World Water Day celebrations, which fell on Monday, March 22 2010.

They therefore called on regulatory agencies “to be proactive in preventing the pollution of rivers by mining operations and to provide timely information on pollution of water bodies to affected communities.

The release was jointly signed by Dialogue and Advocacy for Good Governance (DAGG)-Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Wassa Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), Youth for Action Ghana (YAG) and the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA).

Others were the Centre for Labour Rights and Community Services (CLARCS), Voices of Tomorrow Leaders Foundation (VOTOLEAF), Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), Concerned Farmers’ Association of Teberebie as well as the Concerned Citizens Association of Prestea

It stated, “The negative effects of mining is depriving mining communities of access to clean water and this has implication for the health status of mining communities since the ingestion of cyanide and heavy metals in rivers for long periods could lead to many serious health problems for people living in mining communities.”

“We recognise that access to clean water is a human right and the pollution of rivers by mining operations constitutes a violation of the rights of the mining communities to clean water and environment.”

“The rate at which mining operations are polluting water bodies in Ghana is a source of serious concern and worry. The theme for the celebration of this year’s World Water Day - Clean Water for a Healthy World- aptly reflects the relationship between clean water and the health status of many people who rely on natural water resource to meet their biological, cultural, recreational and household needs.”

“Multinational mining companies in Ghana, including Goldfields Ghana Limited, Golden Star Resources (Prestea/Bogoso) mine, Golden Star Resources (Akyempim) mine, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited and the defunct Teberebie Goldfields Limited had officially been reported to have spilled large quantities of cyanide into rivers that serve the needs of mining communities.”

“The practice where Ghana Manganese Company used to discharge manganese waste into Bonsa River, which was distributed by Ghana Water Company to consumers in Tarkwa and its environs, became a source of conflict between communities around Bonsa and the company.

“Sometimes, effluents that contain cyanide and heavy metals from the Tailings Storage Facilities of mining companies seep into surface and ground water for a long time.

“The leakage from the tailings storage facility of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited for example necessitated the closure of two of such facilities by Ghana EPA in February 2010. Again, the activities of ‘Galamsey’ operators also polluted rivers and water bodies.”

“It is important to cite a few specific examples to buttress the seriousness of the problem of water stress in mining communities. The mining operations of Golden Star Resources (Bogoso/Prestea) Mine had polluted and destroyed six rivers namely, Aprepre, Wurawura, Akyesua, Pram, Nana Nyabaa, Nsu Abena and two rivers at Twigyaa.”

“The operations of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine had polluted about 12 rivers in Sanso and many communities in Obuasi area such as Odumase, Fenaso do not have access to clean water.

Similarly, the cyanide spillage from the Tailings Storage Facilities of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited had polluted rivers such as Achofoe, Angonaben and Bromenasu. AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited had completely buried various rivers, including Awura, Atibri and Betihini with mine Rock Waste.”

The coalition called on the government and all stakeholders to work hard to protect the country’s environment from destruction by the mining companies.

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