Newmont Ghana adopts strategies to deal with environmental pollution
Newmont Ghana is adopting various strategies to deal with environmental pollution and cyanide spillage through the shrouding of a feed pipe to contain the flow of cyanide, among others.
According to Mr Agbeko Azumah, Communications Manager of the company involved in mining in the Brong Ahafo region, it has classified waste under two broad terms to cover non hazardous waste – any waste which has not been contaminated with oil, grease, lubricants or chemicals and hazardous waste -any waste items which contain pollutants to deal effectively with environmental degradation.
Mr Azumah said these when briefing members of the Parliamentary Press Corps on a tour of the company’s facility in the Brong Ahafo region.
On cyanide management, a highly toxic chemical used in gold processing, he said, various strategies are being used to contain spillage including a Counter Current Decantation (CCD) Plant for cyanide recovery and the shrouding of the CCD feed pipeline.
On air pollution, he said usage is being made of a bag house to control dust during drilling as mining activities generate a lot of dust.
On general management of waste, he explained that this starts with segregation and the adoption of a strategy known as ‘5Rs’ involving reduction of waste at source, re-use , recycling, recovery and responsible disposal of all waste.
According to Mr Azumah, generally, non hazardous waste are recycled or re-used or disposed off, while hazardous wastes are managed at an Integrated Waste Management Facility.
By Eunice Menka