Goldfeilds worried over increasing use of cyanide

The Senior Training Officer in charge of the Metallurgy Department of Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL), Tarkwa mine, Mr. Francis Fynn, on Friday expressed worry about the increasing use and misapplication of cyanide by illegal miners in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality and the Prestea Huni-Valley District.

He said if nothing is done about the use of cyanide by the illegal miners, the health of residents of communities where illegal mining is undertaken could be endangered.

Mr. Fynn said that it was unacceptable for Ghanaians especially those living in mining areas to sit aloof and allow illegal miners to use cyanide in their communities.

He charged the public to report any illegal miner, who they suspect of using cyanide to help reduce the hazard they are causing to the environment.

Mr. Fynn made the observation at a cyanide awareness programme for stakeholders, organized by Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine at Tarkwa.

He said cyanide is very toxic even in small amount and when damp, may smell like bitter almonds or ammonia.

Mr. Fynn said cyanide can enter the blood stream through inhalation, ingestion and absorption through the skin.

He said symptons of mild poisoning of cyanide include burning sensation of tongue, headaches, unusual behavior, nausea, weakness of limps, rapid pulse, difficulty in breathing and salivation.

Mr. Fynn said feeling of suffocation, vomiting, cherry red complexion, gasping for breath, convulsions and collapse, decreasing consciousness and cessation of breathing are also symptoms of severe poisoning.

He advised the public to avoid direct contact with cyanide, which must be handled when one is wearing protective outfit, safety glasses and mask.