AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, has dismissed allegations by the Adansi Progressive Association (APA) that the mining company has contaminated the water supply in the Apitikooko community.

The mine’s operations, in a statement, said the allegations that there are high cyanide levels in the community’s water as a result of its nearness to the Mine’s South Tailings Storage Facility (STSF) are false.

AngloGold Ashanti clarified that the “siting and construction of its STSF are fully compliant and duly permitted under applicable laws and best practices.”

Residents of the Apitikoko community had blamed AngloGold Ashanti for contaminating the waters in the community after tests conducted into samples of water by the Ghana Water Company Limited revealed harmful bacteria and chemicals in the water.

The results also showed that coliform bacteria could cause community members to be affected by gastrointestinal upset, fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea.

Therefore, the community members demanded medical screening for residents and compensation, among others.

But the Obuasi mine said it considers the allegations seriously as it regularly monitors boreholes in the community to ensure there is non-contamination.

“Further in compliance with applicable environmental legislation and regulations, boreholes in the Apitikooko Community are regularly monitored to ensure non-contamination. Monitoring data available and submitted to the regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from 2014 to date, show that all parameters, including levels of cyanide, are well below the EPA Limits”, portions of the statement read.

However, the company assured that it will engage the leadership of the community, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant stakeholders to share available information for purposes of common understanding.

“Obuasi Mine is committed to working with all its stakeholders to ensure continued sound and sustainable environment practices on and around its concession”, the statement added.

The Ghana Water Company (GWCL) says tests conducted into samples of water from borehole serving residents in Apitikoko near Obuasi have revealed harmful bacteria and chemicals in the water.

The results also showed that coliform bacteria could cause gastrointestinal upset, fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. Chemicals also found include manganese.

The Public Relations Officer for the Ghana Water Company Limited, Stanley Martey confirmed this to Joy News.

“We brought a sample of the water sample to our district laboratory in Kumasi for testing and that was done. The Ghana Water Company Limited has standards for the treatment of water. We use of the World Health Organisation standard and that of the Ghana Standard Authority for drinking water.

“A number of tests were done, a number of boreholes that we did per the analysis that we have done for the content of the water and the compound in the water indicate that it could be harmful to their bodies and health based on the compounds that were found in the samples that were done,” he said.

Residents say the borehole was constructed by mining company AngloGold Ashanti and claim, that mining chemicals dumped in the community contaminated the water.

They are demanding medical screening for residents and compensation among others.

The coordinator of the Adansi Progressive Association who took the samples to GWCL, Kwesi Aboagye explained that AngloGold Ashanti made them aware that water from the boreholes is not safe for cooking or drinking.

“The water from the pipes is contaminated. You are even supposed to cook with it. Anglogold Ashanti has to supply potable water and food to the community.

“They should relocate community members to a safer community and send residents for medical screening and take care of their medical cost and also compensate every household,” he said.

Odikro of the town, Nana Yaw Ofori who backed the claims said if Anglogold fails to act, they will demonstrate and go to court.

“We are unable to cultivate cassava and other crops because the water is contaminated and many eateries cannot use the water. I developed a tummy upset after drinking the water so I stopped. If AngloGold Ashanti does nothing about it we will demonstrate and subsequently go to court,”

Meanwhile, AngloGold Ashanti has been unavailable for comments on the issue.