De-commissioning of surface mines in Ghana -a case study
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Date
2003-11-25
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Abstract
The challenges facing the surface mining operations in Ghana after the cessation of production relates to rehabilitation, reclamation and restoration of the mined-out areas and the management of the long-term environmental problems such as closure and decommissioning.
The concept of de-commissioning involves, among others, the removal of unwanted infrastructure, making excavation and waste repositories safe and stable and surface reclamation with the view to minimising any environmental impact remaining after cessation of mineral production. It includes the after care or maintenance that may be needed until relinquishment of tenement.
Surface mines are known to generate environmental impacts both during their lifetime and after they have ceased operation. At closure the mine is obviously not generating any income and therefore it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to find the necessary financial resources to carry out any meaningful remedial works. It is therefore pertinent to plan the mine closure and de-commissioning phases of the operation to make provisions for it while the mine is in production.
According to the Mining and Minerals code, all the minerals within legal boundaries of Ghana are vested in the state. The code mandates the minerals commission, the responsibility to promote and ensure that the exploitation of the mineral resources optimally benefits the state.
Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) mines gold deposit by open cast technology in an environmental friendly manner at Bogoso, a village located in the Wassa West district of the Western Region of Ghana, 35 km north of the town of Tarkwa.
Even though the stakeholders’ involvement in the decommissioning activities was not explicitly highlighted, the research identified the major stakeholders such as the proponent of the mine (i.e. company), the workforce, the chiefs and the local community, the government, District assembly and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Due to high rainfall, and the presence of reactive waste material, acid mine drainage will be a problem. As a result, the expected cost of de-commissioning the pits and waste dumps alone will be high, costing about US$11 million.
Alternative livelihood programmes for the communities have been suggested by the research, which will cushion the people against the problems associated with mine closure.
It is proposed that more attention be given to Palm plantation and oil processing and aquaculture because of their economic benefits. The estimated cost of cultivating a hectare of palm plantation and bringing it to fruition is about US$309/ha.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Mining Engineering,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Science degree in Mining Engineering, 2003