Obuasi Gold Mine Environmental Support
Historically, the Obuasi Gold Mine owned by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) in Ghana, has been subject to decreasing production, increasing costs and liabilities, and an increasingly blurred delineation between the operation and the surrounding community. In addition, extensive illegal mining activities (known as galamsey) have resulted in increased safety and security risks.
In 2014, Obuasi entered a limited operating phase (LOP), where underground production was suspended and a feasibility study was progressed to define and design the requirements for an operational transformation. SRK provided on-site technical support during the LOP (in the areas of water management, geotechnical, closure planning, and environmental management) and supported the development of the feasibility study through drafting of environmental management plans, reviewing environmental monitoring data, and assisting with mine closure planning. SRK also wrote the environmental chapter of the feasibility study and reviewed the social and closure chapters, which were prepared by AGA.
For permitting purposes, the regulator requested AGA to submit two environmental impact statements (EISs). SRK was responsible for undertaking the tailings and water infrastructure project EIS and for reviewing the redevelopment project EIS, which was prepared by AGA. Both EIS have since been approved by regulators and AGA has announced plans to restart operations at Obuasi. SRK is pleased to have helped AGA achieve the necessary approvals required to restart mining at an optimised Obuasi Gold Mine.
