Ghana: Newmont Commits Itself to Safe Use of Cyanide

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Public Agenda (Accra)

1 August 2008
Posted to the web 1 August 2008

The use of cyanide compounds in mining is frequently becoming a controversial issue; environmental groups often focus on the acutely toxic properties of many cyanide compounds to humans.

Mining companies have received a lot of criticisms from environmental groups in Ghana on the use of cyanide and its associated problems.

But the mining industry has argued that the dilute cyanide concentrations employed, the methods of use, and the rapid decomposition of these compounds make cyanide extraction a very safe alternative.

In order to solve these associated problems the International Cyanide Management Institute established a code which ensures that mining companies comply with the best principles and practices in their use of cyanide in their operations.

The good news however is that Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) Ahafo Operation has been fully certified as fully compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC) by the International Cyanide Management Institute as part of its effort to ensure the good use of cyanide in their operations.

According to Newmont Ghana's Regional Vice President for Environment and Social Responsibility, Mr. Nick Cotts, the mine was initially certified as compliant in March 2008.

In a statement in Accra, the Vice-President said in order to become certified as fully compliant by the ICMI, Newmont Ghana completed both the pre-operational and operational certification process using independent auditors to ensure compliance with the Code requirements.

It said the process began with the International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI) receiving and accepting a Detailed Audit Findings Report of Newmont Ghana's Ahafo Operation.

The Detailed Audit Findings Report, which was prepared by an independent third-party auditor, involved evaluating Newmont's Ahafo Operation in line with the ICMI's Verification Protocol.

According to Mr. Cotts the mine was found to be in full compliance with the Code's Principles and Standards of Practice after the detailed Audit Findings Report.

"The Ahafo Operation will be subsequently re-audited every three years to evaluate the Mine's continued compliance with the Code. Our Operations team has worked hard to meet the strict procedures required by this Code and their efforts have been rewarded with Code certification and we recognize their efforts," he said.

The International Cyanide Management Code, also known as the Cyanide Code, is a voluntary program adopted by the gold mining industry to promote responsible management of cyanide which is extensively used in gold mining.

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