The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed an environmental incident involving cyanide contamination at AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited’s Beposo Tailings Storage Facility (BTSF).
According to an official statement issued by the Authority, the incident occurred on Monday, February 17, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The EPA’s report indicates that supernatant water (process water) seeped from the Western Embankment of the BTSF into the surrounding downstream environment.
“The supernatant water flowed from the toe of the BTSF to an estimated distance of approximately 1.7 km to the Awoenaben stream diversion channel which discharges into the Ahumabru stream, Bonsa river and finally into the Ankobra river.
“An initial estimated volume of 80,000m3 of supernatant water was released over an estimated area of 13.89Ha. The company activated its emergency response procedures by informing relevant regulatory bodies and the catchment communities.”
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) , Ghana
To contain the spill, the company constructed a coffer dam at the base of the tailings storage facility and initiated an emergency water recovery process by pumping the supernatant water into an emergency pond.
Despite these mitigation efforts, the EPA’s initial water quality assessment on the day of the incident detected elevated levels of cyanide in the receiving stream.
The contamination levels were found to be above the acceptable limits outlined in Ghana’s environmental standards (GS: 1212, 2019).
However, the EPA noted that subsequent assessments conducted in the days following the incident showed a significant reduction in cyanide concentrations.
The Authority assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the seepage.
Impact on the Environment and Community Engagement
The affected Ahumabru stream, which eventually feeds into the Ankobra River, is already severely impacted by illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”
Given the pre-existing environmental degradation, the EPA noted that it has launched a comprehensive environmental assessment, including water quality monitoring, sediment analysis, and aquatic fauna assessment, to evaluate the full extent of the damage caused by the incident.
As a precautionary measure, the EPA issued a public advisory warning residents and communities along the affected water bodies to refrain from using or directly interacting with the contaminated streams until further notice.
The agency emphasized the importance of public safety and indicated that continuous monitoring and further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
The cyanide contamination incident has sparked concerns among environmental advocacy groups and local communities, who have called for stricter oversight of mining activities and improved environmental safety measures by multinational corporations operating in Ghana.
The EPA reassured the public that necessary regulatory actions will be taken based on the findings of its ongoing investigation.
The Authority also noted that engaged with community leaders in the affected areas, urging them to cooperate with authorities and adhere to safety directives to prevent health hazards.
The EPA further pledged to keep the public informed about any new developments regarding the incident.
It is also expected that AngloGold Ashanti will face scrutiny regarding its environmental compliance measures, particularly in light of past concerns over the environmental impact of mining operations in Ghana.
For more information on this incident or other environmental concerns, the EPA has directed the public to contact its Client Relations Unit via email at [email protected] or by calling 0506694760/0507227726.
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