Assessing the Impact of an Operating Tailings Storage Facility on Catchment Surface and Groundwater Quality in the Ellembele District of the Western Region of Ghana

Elvis Akwasi Acheampong,Daniel Nukpezah

doi:10.5539/ep.v5n2p26

Abstract

<p>The study assessed the impact of an operating Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) of Adamus Resources Limited (Nzema Gold Mine) in the Ellembele District of the Western of Ghana on catchment surface and groundwater quality. Water samples were collected between June and December 2014 from seventeen (17) sampling sites including the TSF decant water (TSF-DW), three (3) streams, a water storage dam, a pond and eleven (11) groundwater monitoring boreholes within 500 m radius of the mine’s Tailings Storage Facility. Samples were analyzed for pH, true colour, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury) and cyanide (weak acid dissociable cyanide (WAD), free cyanide and total cyanide) using standard procedures. The TSF-DW reported elevated arsenic, free cyanide and TSS concentrations above GHEPA guideline for effluent discharge. Elevated TSS and arsenic concentrations above GHEPA limits were reported in PWSD which is a pond uphill of the TSF and a receptor to effluents from illegal mining sites on the mine’s concession. All other parameters recorded in surface and groundwater bodies studied were within WHO guideline limit for potable water. Results of the study suggest that the quality of surface and groundwater around the TSF has not been adversely affected even though the TSF is contaminated. Study findings suggest that well-engineered tailings dam ofARLwith its effective liner and management systems may have provided a safe structure and prevented contamination of water resources within its catchment.</p>

Highlights

Mining plays a key role in the socio-economic development of many countries and Ghana is a good example. Hinton, Veiga & Beinhoff (2003) outlined positive aspects of mining including creation of employment, contribution to government revenue, foreign currency earnings and increase of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Water samples were collected between June and December 2014 from seventeen (17) sampling sites including the TSF decant water (TSF-DW), three (3) streams, a water storage dam, a pond and eleven (11) groundwater monitoring boreholes within 500 m radius of the mines Tailings Storage Facility
The mean total dissolved solids (TDS) of 964.5 mg/l reported in this study was well within the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GHEPA) guideline limit for effluent discharge

Summary

Introduction

Mining plays a key role in the socio-economic development of many countries and Ghana is a good example. Hinton, Veiga & Beinhoff (2003) outlined positive aspects of mining including creation of employment, contribution to government revenue, foreign currency earnings and increase of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mining operations generally produce many types of waste including tailings and waste rocks, many of which are dumped or contained in facilities near extraction or processing sites. Wastes generated from such mining operations are of grave concern to stakeholders such as mining companies, governments and communities owing to their potential detrimental impacts on water resources and the environment in general. According to Liu et al (2008), the components of mine tailings depend to a large extent on the chemicals and the method used in the mineral extraction, as well as the geology of the mined ore been processed. It is imperative to properly manage tailings as they constitute a major source of release of many trace elements and other contaminants into the environment (Armah et al, 2010)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion