AngloGold Ashanti has chosen Veolia to optimise, operate and maintain the water treatment plant of its open pit
Iduapriem gold mine in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region of Ghana. Veolia stated: “This contract confirms Veolia’s leading expertise in the treatment of water used in the mining industry and the company’s capacity to attract new clients in its key fields of development.”
Veolia, through its subsidiary Veolia Ghana Ltd, will operate and maintain, over the next two years, the existing water treatment facility at Iduapriem, where water is used for the typical range of mining applications including mineral processing, dust suppression, slurry transport and employee needs. Veolia says it will provide the best management and operational expertise to ensure proper water treatment and discharge. “Veolia’s global presence in mining and strong commitment with both the mining industry and Africa has given AngloGold Ashanti the confidence to outsource its water management to Veolia”, explains Patrice Fonlladosa, Executive Vice President Africa and Middle East for Veolia. “This contract confirms the added-value solutions and expertise that our Group provides to its mining clients so that their processes can comply with the highest standards, in particular the environment while improving the efficiency of their operations.”
Iduapriem is located in the Western Region of Ghana with an annual average gold production of about 220,000 oz and a recovery factor of about 95.8%. It faces a climate with extreme seasonal variations in temperature or rainfall and the alternation of dry and wet seasons. When seasonal patterns provide very high rainfall for only a few months, water must be managed cautiously to avoid flooding of operations, that could lead to water contamination and potential health and safety issues. Moreover, gold extraction in particular requires the use of cyanide, a hazardous material used to dissolve and separate gold from ore. Veolia will care for the proper operation and maintenance of the treatment plant “to ensure that water resource is managed adequately in an environmentally-friendly manner.”