加纳：企业偷排NaCN受处罚

eiarookie · 发表于 2009-10-21 16:28

Sunyani — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says Newmont would be handed the appropriate sanctions for their negligence, if it is established that the spill of Sodium Cyanide extends beyond the contained area on site.

Mr. Isaac Osei, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the EPA who disclosed this in an interview with The Chronicle, stressed that the mining giant would not escape punishment when it is established that the level of Sodium Cyanide in the nearby creek was at 20 part per million, which is harmful to human beings.

Mr. Osei noted that Newmont's negligence to prevent the overflow of the harmful chemical into the creek, which is the source iof drinking water for the local inhabitants, was a major dent on their image, which can also affect their financial support.

He noted that the International Financial Institution, which most of these mining companies fall on for financial support, insists on effective Environmental Impact Assessment Reports.

According to the Director, officers from the Mining Inspectorate Division of the EPA at its headquarters had visited the place to also investigate into the matter, because they were the agent mandated by law to take responsibility of ensuring that the environment was safe.

He stated that the EPA was closely monitoring the environmental impact activities of Newmont, to ensure that the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 L. I. 1652, required to address all environmental issues identified under the mining project and reclamation plans, was strictly adhered to.

Mr. Osei, who had earlier described the incident as a mere negligence on the part of Newmont, insisted that he still stood by his words, that the company was careless for not keeping a regular check on the environmental control plants.

He said the over-reliance on machines to check those things was not enough, urging that people must be assigned to monitor them regularly, and report urgently when there is a problem, for a swift resolution.

Mr. Osei called on the public to have confidence in the EPA, to ensure that the right things are done to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

MINE GIANT SETTLES POLLUTION CASE

Meanwhile, our investigation has revealed that this is not the first time that Newmont is being accused of pollution. The following is a story we picked about the company on the net, which occurred from 2004 to 2006, read on.

An Indonesian woman holding a placard of a child alleged to have suffered a skin complaint because of environmental pollution. Newmont is accused of polluting an area of North Sulawesi.

The US mining giant Newmont has agreed to pay Indonesia $30 million in an out-of-court settlement over alleged pollution in North Sulawesi.

The money will be paid over 10 years to fund environmental monitoring and community development.

The Indonesian government will drop a civil case against Newmont, but a criminal trial of a top local executive will continue.

The civil suit had sought damages of $133 million from the US firm.

But the case was thrown out by a court last November.

Toxic metals

Richard Ness, President of Newmont Minahasa Raya, went on trial in the criminal case, and faces a maximum 10-year jail sentence if convicted.

"This will not stop the ongoing criminal case," Chief Social Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie said after the out-of-court settlement was signed in Jakarta on Thursday.Map illustrating Buyat Bay.

Buyat Bay is about 1,300 miles northeast of Jakarta. Newmont Minahasa Raya and Mr Ness are accused of knowingly dumping waste on an island in North Sulawesi province, about 1,300 miles north east of Jakarta.

The Indonesian authorities claim local residents have suffered serious skin diseases and neurological disorders after being exposed to abnormally high levels of toxic metals including mercury and arsenic.

The firm, which began operations in the area in 1996, says it has fully complied with environmental regulations relating to waste removal from the mine, which closed in 2004.

It insists there is no credible scientific evidence pointing to any environmental pollution.

In its defence, the firm is expected to point to independent research - including a report commissioned by the World Health Organisation - arguing that no environmental damage was caused and that traces of heavy metal deposits found on villagers were within acceptable levels.

The trial follows the detention of five Newmont employees last year in relation to allegations of illegal dumping.An Indonesian court subsequently ruled that the arrests were illegal.