Accra, July
22, GNA - Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister for Environment Science and Technology,
has said Newmont Ghana Gold Limited had adhered to all the curative orders
given after the cyanide spillage in 2009 in Brong Ahafo Region.
"I am satisfied with all that Newmont has done to the affected hamlets
since the accidental spill that occurred Tuesday October 2009 at the processing
plant of the mine," she said when she answered questions in parliament on
Wednesday.
She said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) upon report of the cyanide
spillage set a panel to investigate the matter and found Newmont culpable of
negligent in its operation causing the spillage.
Ms Ayittey noted that the panel on the basis of its investigation demanded some
measures among which were map out high risk operational areas and heighten
surveillance, review incident classification criteria and prompt reporting
procedure.
The panel according to her also directed that Newmont should educate staff of
environmental response procedures and carry out regular drills and payment of
seven million Ghana
cedis towards mitigation and ecological enhancement.
She stated that the directive also called on Newmont to submit to EPA its
emergency response procedures and incident classification criteria for review
and to undertake comprehensive studies on the soils and or sediments within the
operational area in order to trace the high sources of metal concentration.
She noted that a team of technical officials led by the Deputy Minister for the
Ministry, Mr Omane Boamah visited and inspected the implementation of the
directives and could confirm that much had been done.
"With the exception of the soil analysis, which should be done by the end
of July 2010, all the other recommendations have been implemented by Newmont
Ghana Gold Limited," she stressed.
A consultant, she explained, was working on the affected communities to carry
out Community Need Assessment to enable the necessary action to be taken by the
Ministry.
The Minister stated that all areas had been zoned according to risk and plans
for risk management developed and high risk areas mapped out and additional
patrols implemented round the clock surveillance during shutdowns to improve
surveillance.
She said spill handling procedures such as surveillance and equipment handling
had been revised and communicated to all relevant staff trained on the new
procedures.
Ms Ayittey noted that surveillance updated and inspection of frequency
increased adding that cameras have been installed at the emergency containment
pond with monitors in the control room to check levels in addition to extra
level monitoring equipment.
She stated that emergency spill kits were placed in key areas while a
comprehensive study on the soils and sediments within the operational area was
underway to trace the high source of metal concentrations.
She said the project scope had been agreed upon with its detailed work plan and
contractual agreement formalized. The sampling analysis she added was to
commence July this month.
She explained that to provide permanent portable water to the affected
communities, a poly tank was provided to communities immediately following the
event to ensure constant water supply to the affected hamlets.
According to the Minister the tank was regularly filled from a potable water
source adding that a borehole was scheduled to be fully completed in August
2010 for the communities.
