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September 2013 Vol. 2
Issue 2
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Owusu-Boateng G
Plange-Rhule J
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Global Advanced
Research Journal of Physical and Applied Sciences (GARJPAS)
September 2013 Vol.
2(2), pp. 032-038
Copyright © 2013 Global Advanced
Research Journals
Original
Research Paper
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Ambient air quality in the Chirano gold mines
limited, Bibiani Ghana
*Owusu-Boateng G1, Ntim M2 and
Plange-Rhule J3
1Faculty
of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi,
Ghana,
2Department
of Material Engineering (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
3School
of Medical Sciences, (KNUST), Kumasi,
Ghana,
*Corresponding author Email:
godfredowusuboateng@yahoo.com
Accepted 02 September, 2013
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Abstract |
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Although mining companies make some effort to
minimize air pollution, their activities continue to
attract public concern. The situation in Chirano
Gold Mines Limited (CGML) was investigated by
determining the concentration of PM10 and
total suspended particles (TSP) in Paboase and Akoti
and the mine site using the Environmental
Particulates Air Monitor (Model: EPAM-5000). PM10
and TSP concentrations at seven destinations
within the mine;
Akwaaba,
Construction Camp, Exploration Camp, Mine Village,
Paboase Camp, Processing Plant and Rom Pad
were also investigated to guide distribution of
effort at protecting human life.
Results indicate generally lower concentrations of
PM10 and TSP between 3:00am and 8:00am
and during rainy periods. PM10 levels
were generally below the Ghana EPA standard (70μgm-3)
but not the WHO guideline value (50μgm-3);
TSP concentrations fell below limits by both (230μgm-3)
and (200μgm-3) respectively suggesting
that the ambient air in the CGML was unpolluted in
terms of PM10 and TSP. Dust-generating
activities e. g. hauling, off-loading and rocks
crushing at the Rom Pad accounted for the higher PM10
(166.72µg/m3) and TSS (367.62µg/m3)
than the prescribed limits. The mine village cited
in a thick forest where liberated particle could be
trapped recorded the least concentrations (33.14 μgm-3
for PM10 and 67.82 μgm-3
for TSP).
Keywords:
Air, Quality, particles, mining
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