Global Advanced Research Journal of Physical and Applied Sciences (GARJPAS)

September 2013 Vol. 2(2), pp. 039-046
Copyright © 2013 Global Advanced Research Journals

Original Research Paper

Mine water and the environment: a case study at Central African Gold Bibiani Limited, Ghana

P. Anane-Acheampong.-Osisiadan¹, L. Darkwah² and G. Owusu-Boateng³*

¹Department of Material Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

²Department of Chemical Engineering

³Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana

*Corresponding author Email: godfredowusuboateng@yahoo.com

Accepted 02 September, 2013

Abstract

The quantity and quality of input and output water at the various stages of mining is of critical importance in monitoring the dynamics of mine water. This study was undertaken to assess the quantity and physic-chemical quality of water sources for ore processing, the process water pond and surface waters in the Central African Gold (CAG) Mine concession area. Water samples were analysed for levels of some physic-chemical parameters: pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, iron, arsenic and cyanide. Results indicate that the main sources of water to the processing plant were the decant water (55.10%) and thickener overflow (34.55%). There was a general decline in water quality in this study as compared to the baseline study and most importantly deviated from levels prescribed by the Ghana EPA standard and the WHO guideline for both effluent discharge into the environment and drinking water, calling for measures to ward off any possible human and environmental health problems.

Keywords: Central African Gold, water, quantity, quality, pollution, Ghana EPA, WHO.