EPA launches nationwide crackdown on toxic gold leaching
Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled sweeping enforcement measures to tackle toxic chemical pollution in mining communities, warning that unregulated gold leaching will no longer be tolerated.
The crackdown, announced after high-level engagements with leaching associations in Tarkwa, marks the beginning of a coordinated national campaign to curb hazardous effluent discharge, soil contamination, and the degradation of vital water resources.
Leaching, which involves soaking crushed ore in solvents such as cyanide and strong acids to recover gold, has spread rapidly across mining districts despite being illegal under Ghana’s environmental laws. Without engineered containment systems or waste treatment protocols, the practice has left behind toxic seepage and long-term ecosystem damage.
EPA Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, said the Authority is shifting its approach from outright prohibition to strict regulation and oversight. “As we speak, the activity is illegal, but the EPA has developed regulations to control and regularise the operations of the leachers. We have agreed that they will go through training and certification to ensure they mine sustainably without polluting the environment,” she explained.
Under the new framework, operators will be required to register, undergo mandatory environmental safety training, and obtain permits under strict conditions. Prof. Klutse outlined a phased process beginning in February 2026, with notices issued next week, registration in the second week, and permit issuance by month’s end. “To start with, there will be training. We will register them and then move toward granting permits under strict environmental conditions,” she added.
A key component of the directive is tighter control over the chemical supply chain. “We want to regulate the sources of cyanide and acids used in gold processing. The associations will be empowered to help control how these chemicals are procured and distributed to their members, ensuring their activities have minimal environmental impact,” Prof. Klutse said.
The EPA has warned that failure to comply will trigger sanctions ranging from administrative penalties to prosecution. “As EPA normally does, if you fail to comply with our regulations or conditions to protect the environment, we will apply sanctions. Beyond administrative penalties, we can prosecute depending on the severity of the violation,” she cautioned.
Despite the tough stance, the initiative has received support from local operators. Lord King Aikins, spokesperson for the Tarkwa leaching association, welcomed the intervention. “This meeting has been helpful. We now understand that some of our practices are harmful. The EPA will inspect even what we have already done and guide us so we don’t pollute the environment. It is welcome news for us,” he said.
The EPA maintains that the enforcement drive is part of a broader national strategy to safeguard ecosystems, protect downstream communities, and prevent irreversible damage to land and water bodies. By combining regulation, training, and stricter monitoring, the Authority hopes to transform one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges into a pathway for sustainable mining.
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