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Ghana gold mine 'eco-devastation' Mining firms 'polluting Africa'
(about 7 hours 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 says it wants the British government to force mining companies operating in Africa to honour their social responsibilities.
War on Want says waterways have been polluted with cyanide, and communities subjected to "severe repression". The group says companies with UK links such as Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti and Vedanta are failing to live up to a voluntary code of conduct.
AngloGold Ashanti says the allegations are inaccurate and out of date. It accuses the firms of human rights violations and environmental damage.
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. Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti say the allegations are inaccurate and out of date.
In a newly-published report, War on Want accuses several mining companies with British links of human rights violations in the developing world. In the past the British government has declined to intervene in what it says are "business matters".
The AngloGold Ashanti operation at Obuasi, Ghana's largest gold mine, is just one of many cases it details. Ghana
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. The War on Want report refers to cyanide spills at Ghana's largest gold mine at Obuasi, operated by AngloGold Ashanti, 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 AngloGold Ashanti spokesman Alan Fine told the BBC News website that two spills from a cyanide containment lake, referred to by the pressure group, dated from late 2005 and the company had "organised a clean-up".
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. He said that since the company took over the mine in 2004, it has upgraded the infrastructure and engaged with locals to reduce tensions with artisan miners.
"When we took over the mine, the infrastructure was not in great shape and we worked hard to correct it," Mr Fine said. South Africa
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". The report says that a subsidiary of Anglo American, Anglo Platinum has clashed with poor farmers from villages near the Bushel Mineral Complex in South Africa.
Further he says the company has engaged with civil society, including artisanal miners, to reduce tensions. It alleges that residents were forcibly resettled at Magobading to make way for the company's new Twickenham mine.
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. In a rebuttal statement, Anglo American says "the residents were resettled with improved housing and compensation after a lengthy consultation" and were not forced off their land.
Zambia
War on Want says Zambia's Environment and Natural Resources Ministry has accused the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), which is 51% owned by Vedanta Resources, of negligence leading to toxic leaks.
It also says KCMB has failed to comply with remedial measures and could be liable for prosecution.
But Vedanta Resources told the BBC News website they spent "several million dollars rectifying" the Kafue river leak.
A spokesman said the company takes human rights, the environment and their relationships with communities very seriously.