Cleaner Than Drinking Water? Newmont Makes Bold Claim About Treated Mine Water.
Newmont Ghana has stated that water treated and discharged from its mining operations meets World Health Organization (WHO) drinking-water quality guidelines, as the company outlines measures adopted to protect water resources and surrounding communities.
The company’s Regional Director for Environmental Affairs, Mr Albert Otchere Ainoo, made the assertion during the Ambassador’s Water Experts Program Symposium at the Accra Marriott Hotel on Tuesday.
Speaking on sustainable mining practices and environmental protection, Mr Ainoo indicated that Newmont’s treated mine water compares favourably with drinking water available to the public.
He explained that the company operates water treatment facilities designed to manage water affected by mining activities before its discharge into receiving water bodies.
In response to questions about the quality of the discharged water, Mr Ainoo cited WHO drinking-water guidelines and disclosed that the company’s water samples are analysed at SGS laboratories.
He presented several environmental protection measures adopted by Newmont, including treatment of mine-affected water, surface-water monitoring, groundwater protection and measures to manage runoff and erosion.
According to the presentation, the company does not use mercury in its mining operations.
Mr Ainoo also stressed the use of lined tailings storage facilities intended to prevent or minimise groundwater contamination.
He said the company’s operations at Ahafo South and Ahafo North are subject to oversight by the Environmental Protection Authority, Minerals Commission and Water Resources Commission.
Newmont also maintains that its tailings management systems are guided by international best practices, including the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.
Beyond its operational water management systems, Mr Ainoo disclosed that Newmont provides boreholes to communities around its mining areas as part of efforts to improve access to water.
The AWEP Symposium is examining mercury pollution and collaborative approaches to sustainable mining, bringing together American technical experts and stakeholders to discuss environmental monitoring, pollution control and practical solutions to protecting the country’s water resources.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/ Nana Ama Asantewaa Kwarko.
