Ahafo mine

The Ahafo mine is one of the largest gold mines in the Republic of Ghana and in the world.[1][2] The mine is located in the center of the country in Brong-Ahafo Region.[2] The mine has estimated reserves of 17 million ounces of gold.[2][3][4]

Ahafo mine
Ahafo Gold Mine open pit gold mine
Location
Brong-Ahafo Region
CountryGhana
Coordinates 7.012475°N 2.356042°W / 7.012475; -2.356042
Production
ProductsGold
Owner
CompanyStar Africa Commodities & Minerals Limited, Newmont Goldcorp

The company has been accused of "human rights abuses and irresponsible practices" by Earthworks, an environmental organization, and others.[5][6]

Pollution and social impact

In October 2008 an instrument malfunction caused a spill of sodium cyanide, and the Ghanaian EPA determined that the company had violated its permits. The company was fined $4.9 million and the government agency determined that Newmont failed to appropriately report or investigate the spill.[7]

The cyanide spill caused a large fish kill. Newmont initially denied responsibility for the fish kill, stating that the deaths were due to over-population of the fish and depleted oxygen in the water. An independent investigation found high levels of cyanide in the fish, and that cyanide levels in the water were 1,400% higher than the World Health Organisation standard. The water also contained levels of cadmium and arsenic that far exceeded WHO safety standards.[8]

Earthworks reports that the mine displaced about 9,500 people who were mostly subsistence farmers.[9]

References
  1. Mitchell, John; Jorgensen, Mark K (2007). "Newmont's Ahafo Mine – Gold mining in West Africa". Mining Engineering. 59 (4): 23. ISSN 0026-5187. OCLC 124588954.
  2. "Supporting local economic growth in Ghana" (PDF). commdev.org. 2009. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  3. "Stakeholder Engagement". CommDev. Retrieved 2021-08-19. Newmont Ahafo – Ghana: IFC worked to have 10,000 people successfully resettled into a new community. With our guidance, the company is on track to meet the regulatory target of using local firms for at least 10 percent of its procurement needs. It has led to 373 local businesses receiving contracts. 53 women-owned businesses incorporated into the supply chain, creating 176 additional jobs.
  4. "IFC and Newmont Sign Linkages Cooperation Agreement to Support Small Businesses near Ghana's Ahafo Mine". International Finance Corporation (Press release). Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  5. EJOLT. "Newmont's Ahafo gold mine, Ghana". Environmental Justice Atlas. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  6. "WACAM letter to Minister of Lands and Natural Resources" (PDF). Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. 2 November 2010.
  7. cmsadmin (2010-01-25). "Newmont Fined for Cyanide Spill in Ghana". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  8. "Fish-kill at Newmont Ahafo Mine due to cyanide spillage - CEIA". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  9. EARTHWORKS (2011-09-27). "Ahafo Gold Mine Implicated in Human Rights Abuses and Irresponsible Practices". Earthworks. Retrieved 2023-02-12.


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