The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a public notice regarding an environmental incident at the Beposo Tailings Storage Facility (BTSF) of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapreim Limited.
The incident occurred on Monday, February 17, 2025, at approximately 11:30 am, when supernatant water (process water) seeped from the Western Embankment of the BTSF into the surrounding environment.
According to the EPA, the seepage flowed from the toe of the BTSF for an estimated distance of 1.7 kilometers to the Awoenaben stream diversion channel, which eventually discharges into the Ahumabru stream, the Bonsa River, and ultimately the Ankobra River.
An initial assessment indicated that approximately 80,000 cubic meters of supernatant water was released over an area of 13.89 hectares.
In response to the incident, AngloGold Ashanti activated its emergency response protocols, immediately informing the relevant regulatory authorities and the affected communities.
The company worked quickly to contain the situation by constructing a coffer dam at the toe of the facility, preventing further seepage, and pumping the released water into an emergency pond.
The EPA noted that the receiving stream, the Ahumabru stream, had already been impacted by illegal mining, or “galamsey,” activities, which may have compounded the environmental effects of the seepage.
An initial water quality assessment conducted on the day of the incident revealed elevated cyanide levels in the receiving stream, surpassing the threshold limits set by the Ghana Standards Authority (GS: 1212, 2019).
However, follow-up assessments in the following days showed a significant reduction in cyanide levels, offering some relief.
The EPA has since visited the site and engaged with the leadership of the downstream communities to assess the situation.
A comprehensive investigation into the cause of the incident is currently underway, and continuous monitoring of water quality, sediment levels, and aquatic fauna is being carried out to understand the full extent of the environmental impact.
In the meantime, the public has been cautioned to avoid direct interaction with or use of the affected stream until further notice, as the situation remains under investigation.
The EPA assured the public that any further developments or information regarding the incident would be communicated in due course as the investigation progresses and more data becomes available.
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