Ghana Gold Corporation has pledged to reduce liquid
mercury pollution during its operation in the country.
Mercury emissions in the country’s mining sector are extremely prevalent and a major health and environmental concern, particularly in the small-scale gold mining sector, a statement issued by the company said.
Liquid mercury is used in amalgamation of gold to
recover gold in its native form. While mercury simplifies the gold
collection process considerably, it is extremely dangerous.
Part of the gold collection process requires that the miners bake the amalgam balls. These stone-sized mercury and gold amalgam balls are heated on an open flame to separate the mercury from the gold.
Part of the gold collection process requires that the miners bake the amalgam balls. These stone-sized mercury and gold amalgam balls are heated on an open flame to separate the mercury from the gold.
This process results in virtually all of the mercury
being vaporised into the atmosphere, thus leaving only the raw gold.
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that mercury usage in Ghana alone could be as high as 500 tonnes per year.
Ghana Gold said it is preparing itself to be a primary provider of inexpensive mercury retorts.
“Mercury retorts are used in the ‘baking’ process, whereby approximately 95 percent of the mercury is recovered and not released into the atmosphere,” the mining firm said.
Ghana Gold said technicians at its metal working facility in Obuasi have designed and fabricated what is believed to be the first mercury retorts ever built in the country.
Paxi-Jones Alorgbe, Ghana Gold Advisory Board Member said: “This is a win-win for the environment, the Ghanaian people and also the Company. We could potentially be needed to produce thousands of retorts each year.”
The company has invested years in planning and developing local and national relationships with cultural and Government leaders, both key to its strategic land positions on the world-famous Ashanti Gold Belt.
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that mercury usage in Ghana alone could be as high as 500 tonnes per year.
Ghana Gold said it is preparing itself to be a primary provider of inexpensive mercury retorts.
“Mercury retorts are used in the ‘baking’ process, whereby approximately 95 percent of the mercury is recovered and not released into the atmosphere,” the mining firm said.
Ghana Gold said technicians at its metal working facility in Obuasi have designed and fabricated what is believed to be the first mercury retorts ever built in the country.
Paxi-Jones Alorgbe, Ghana Gold Advisory Board Member said: “This is a win-win for the environment, the Ghanaian people and also the Company. We could potentially be needed to produce thousands of retorts each year.”
The company has invested years in planning and developing local and national relationships with cultural and Government leaders, both key to its strategic land positions on the world-famous Ashanti Gold Belt.
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