This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7103114.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Ghana gold mine 'eco-devastation' | Ghana gold mine 'eco-devastation' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The pressure group War on Want has accused the mining company AngloGold Ashanti of environmental damage at one of Ghana's biggest gold mines. | The pressure group War on Want has accused the mining company AngloGold Ashanti of environmental damage at one of Ghana's biggest gold mines. |
| War on Want says waterways have been polluted with cyanide, and communities subjected to "severe repression". | War on Want says waterways have been polluted with cyanide, and communities subjected to "severe repression". |
| AngloGold Ashanti says the allegations are inaccurate and out of date. | AngloGold Ashanti says the allegations are inaccurate and out of date. |
| A spokesman told the BBC News website that since the company took over the mine in 2004, it has upgraded the infrastructure and engaged with locals. | A spokesman told the BBC News website that since the company took over the mine in 2004, it has upgraded the infrastructure and engaged with locals. |
| In a newly-published report, War on Want accuses several mining companies with British links of human rights violations in the developing world. | In a newly-published report, War on Want accuses several mining companies with British links of human rights violations in the developing world. |
| The AngloGold Ashanti operation at Obuasi, Ghana's largest gold mine, is just one of many cases it details. | The AngloGold Ashanti operation at Obuasi, Ghana's largest gold mine, is just one of many cases it details. |
| War on Want alleges that cyanide spills have occurred since AngloGold took over and says company security officials have helped conduct "swoops" on nearby communities to catch illegal miners, which have caused injuries and created a climate of fear. | War on Want alleges that cyanide spills have occurred since AngloGold took over and says company security officials have helped conduct "swoops" on nearby communities to catch illegal miners, which have caused injuries and created a climate of fear. |
| Improvements undertaken | Improvements undertaken |
| AngloGold Ashanti spokesman Alan Fine said that the company was working hard to avoid environmental damage and that there had been no recent clashes with locals. | AngloGold Ashanti spokesman Alan Fine said that the company was working hard to avoid environmental damage and that there had been no recent clashes with locals. |
| "When we took over the mine, the infrastructure was not in great shape and we worked hard to correct it," Mr Fine said. | "When we took over the mine, the infrastructure was not in great shape and we worked hard to correct it," Mr Fine said. |
| He told the BBC that two spills from a cyanide containment lake, referred to by the pressure group, dated from late 2005 and the company "organised a clean-up and paid compensation". | He told the BBC that two spills from a cyanide containment lake, referred to by the pressure group, dated from late 2005 and the company "organised a clean-up and paid compensation". |
| Further he says the company has engaged with civil society, including artisanal miners, to reduce tensions. | Further he says the company has engaged with civil society, including artisanal miners, to reduce tensions. |
| War on Want wants the British government to intervene to make the companies observe a code of conduct that will bring tangible benefits to communities in the developing world. |