(OBUASI) – NEWS RELEASE – AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine refutes allegations by the Adansi Progressive Association (APA) that the Mine’s operations have contaminated water supply in the Apitikooko Community.
Specifically, Obuasi Mine denies the allegations that there are high cyanide levels in the water as a result of the community’s proximity to the mine’s South Tailings Storage Facility (STSF).
AngloGold Ashanti seeks to clarify that the citing and construction of its STSF are in full compliance and duly permitted under applicable laws and best practices. Further, in compliance with applicable environmental legislation and regulations, boreholes in the Apitikooko Community, are regularly monitored to ensure non-contamination.
Monitoring data available and submitted to the regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from 2014 to date, show that all parameters, including levels of cyanide are well below the EPA Limits. Obuasi Mine however takes these allegations seriously and will engage the leadership of the community, the Environmental Protection Agency as well as relevant stakeholders to share available information for purposes of common understanding. Obuasi Mine is committed to working with all its stakeholders to ensure continued sound and sustainable environment practices on and around its concession.
About Obuasi Gold Mine
Obuasi Gold Mine is one of the world’s largest gold ore bodies, with 29.5Moz of Mineral Resource, at an average grade of 7.64 grams per tonne and 8.7Moz of Ore Reserve at an average grade of 8.6 grams per tonne. Obuasi, an underground operation, mining to a depth of 1,500m, is in the Ashanti region, approximately 60km south of Kumasi.
The mine currently employs 850 staff and 3,000 contractors, with about 98% of all positions filled by Ghanaians. Obuasi was in limited operations in 2015, and on care and maintenance from 2016 to the start of its redevelopment in mid-2018, following the receipt of the requisite approvals from the Government of Ghana.