Is groundwater in the Tarkwa gold mining district of Ghana potable?

Concentrations, hydrochemistry and risk evaluation of selected heavy metals along the Jimi River and its tributaries at Obuasi a mining enclave in Ghana

“…Mean cadmium levels in the water samples were above the WHO guideline of 0.005 mg/L. These values are comparable with results obtained in previous studies which showed maximum levels in surface water to be <0.05 mg/L (Kuma 2004) and maximum levels in groundwater to be 0.003 mg/L (Kortatsi 2004). Cadmium concentrations in unpolluted natural waters are usually below 1 µg/L.…”

“…Undesirable effects of high iron consumption can lead to impart of colour and taste in water bodies, the staining of plumbing laundry and stimulating the growth of iron bacteria (Agarwal 1999;ATSDR 1993). Previous studies had shown maximum levels in groundwater to be 18.3 mg/L and maximum levels in surface water to be 4.01 mg/L (Kuma 2004).…”

“…Excessive intake of Pb can damage nervous system and cause brain disorder. Previous studies have shown maximum levels of Pb in groundwater to be 0.026 mg/L (Kortatsi 2004) and maximum levels of Pb in surface water to be <0.05 mg/L (Kuma 2004).…”

“…In Ghana, contaminations of surface and ground water bodies have particularly been prevalent in gold mining communities (Davis et al 1994;Kuma 2004;Manu et al 2004;Kuma and Younger 2004;Obiri 2007). Gold mining has played a significant role in the socio economic life of Ghana for the past years (Akabzaa et al 2007).…”

Mercury in fish: a critical examination of gold mining and human contamination in Ghana

“…In Ghana, the second-largest gold producer in Africa, several impact-based assessments have shown various levels of mercury contamination in water, soils, sediments and crops (Donkor et al, 2006a(Donkor et al, , 2006bBabut et al, 2001;Golow and Adzei, 2002;Golow and Mingle, 2003;Bannerman et al, 2003;Kuma, 2004;Tschakert and Singha, 2007), as well as in human hair, nails, urine and blood (Rambaud et al, 2000;Adimado and Baah, 2002;Donkor et al, 2006b;Amegbey and Eshun, 2003). While results of these studies vary from values clearly below to values above the World Health Organisation (WHO) safe guideline standards, small-scale gold miners are typically represented as environmentally reckless operators, especially those who mine without a licence, who in Ghana are known as galamsey operators.…”