The chiefs of Kenyasi Number One and Two, have challenged the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) to provide evidence of the existence of the towns it listed as having been affected by cyanide spillage from Newmont’s Ahafo Mines.
In separate interviews with ghanabusinessnews.com, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, Chief of Kenyasi Number One, and Odeneho Dadeako Nsiah Ababio, Chief of Kenyasi Number Two said they knew of only Gyakakrom and Bourkrom having been affected by the spillage and that the other towns mentioned by WACAM were non-existent.
WACAM on Saturday, October 17, 2009 issued a statement signed by Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, Executive Director, saying that the cyanide was spilled into River Asunua, which flowed into River Subri and affected residents of Kantinka; Afua Serwakrom; Norbertkrom; Kyeikrom; Bronikrom; Lawyerkrom; Kwamebourkrom and a host of other hamlets.
They accused Newmont of downplaying the impact of the spillage and called for governmental investigation into the incident.
But Nana Abiri ghanabusinessnews.com that both he and his colleague from Kenyasi Number Two visited the affected villages, Gyakakrom and Bourkrom, adding that the towns listed by WACAM were not in his area.
He said Kantika was the only existing town, adding that even that town was no where near the scene of the event and could not have been affected.
Odeneho Ababio on his part said “all these towns that WACAM is mentioning are not in my area – I know of only Gyakakrom and Bourkrom and it is strange to my ears to hear all the names of supposed towns affected in my area.”
He said they had been assured that when cyanide was exposed to sunlight it breaks down and became of no effect, adding that, days after the incident, some live electric fish were found in the stream swimming.
Mr. Emmanuel Ato Aubynn, Community Relations Manager of Newmont Ghana in the Kenyasi District, also told ghanabusinessnews.com that one Abdulai Yakubu Adusa and one Norbert Anane, both staff of WACAM in the area, were fond of such exaggerations when it comes to the mining industry.
He said those towns listed by WACAM are non-existent and challenge WACAM to provide evidence to the contrary.
Newmont on October 12, 2009 reported that there had been a minor overflow of processing solution containing low levels of cyanide from its Ahafo Mines’ event pond, but the chemical was contained and neutralised within the mines.
Some dead fish were however found floating at different spots of a stream that flows into Newmont’s Environmental Control Dam Number Four (ECD4), which generated some concern in the area.
Newmont has since investigated the matter, presented its reports to regulatory bodies and community leaders and had also provided alternative source of water to the people until they were comfortable with the report.
The company had also announced that it had taken measures to forestall a recurrence of the incident and was taking further measures to review its operating system.
