AngloGold Ashanti response to concerns about alleged water contamination at the Geita mine in Tanzania
2 Dec 2009
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited AngloGold Ashanti to respond to the following reports:
- Tanzania: Trace metal concentrations in soil, sediments, and waters - Africa Files, 6 November 2009.http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=22228
- Investigation of trace metal concentrations in soil, sediments and waters in the vicinity of “Geita Gold Mine” and “North Mara Gold Mine” in North West Tanzania - Åsgeir R. Almås, (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), Charles Kweyunga & Mkabwa LK Manoko (University of Dar es Salaam)
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Tanzania-trace-metals-in-water-report-Nov-2009.pdf
AngloGold Ashanti sent the following statement to the Resource Centre:
We are aware of recent studies on trace metals around Geita Gold Mine (GGM) including the recent study conducted by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, “Tanzania: Trace metal concentration in soil, sediments, and waters.”
In response to these studies, AngloGold Ashanti's Geita Gold Minelast year contractedtheinternational consulting firm,UK-based SRK, to conduct a participatory study. The study, the results of which have been shared with local communities and other stakeholders, suggest that there are no substantive causes for concern regarding impacts on soil and agricultural products. Further, there appears to be no significant deterioration in conditions since the 1998/9 baseline study conducted before GGM operations began.
The study did find a small number of isolated incidences (2 wild plants out of the 170 plants analysed) of higher than normal presence of lead and cadmium in the two plants. However, in both areas from which these particular plants were taken, neither lead nor cadmium was detected in the soil samples; suggesting that it is not necessarily mining related. Nonetheless, we intend to follow up with further studies on these incidences.
One specific area of concern raised in the Norwegian University study regarding water purity related to the sampling point, “Site 8”. This site is known to GGM and the sampled material is not meant for consumption. This is an active mining area with restricted access. Arrangements are in place with Nyakabale Village to prevent unauthorised access to this area.
AngloGold Ashanti and GGM are open to further investigations of this nature, and we are very willing to undertake them jointly and co-operatively with other interested parties.
GGM has engaged the University of Dar es Salaam, too, in discussing the matter and we hope that this opens doors for collaborative and participatory studies in future.
In response to the suggestion that certain skin problems are arsenic-related, we are not aware of any health studies that establish a causative link between historical, large scale and artisanal mining and arsenic health effects. Here too, GGM favours a collaborative and participatory approach to any such investigations undertaken in future and found to be relevant to GGM and Geita District Community.