<<Print>>

Scores of residents of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region have dragged gold mining firm Anglo Gold Ashanti to the Kumasi High Court for damages, as the over 150 people seek compensation for health related complications contracted through the company�s operation of their Pompora Treatment Plant (PTP) in the area for many years. The group claims that Anglo Gold Ashanti refused to disclose to residents living in surrounding areas of their operation of the PTP, after conducting various tests on them the presence of arsenic trioxide above permissible levels and that the dermal and various illnesses associated with arsenic suffered by the people were linked to the PTP plant emissions of gases fumes. According to the residents, they have been exposed to the dust and fumes from arsenic and its compounds and that the operation of the PTP has seriously affected them through breathing in the dust and fumes, absorption through the skin as well as by eating foods contaminated with arsenic dust. They are therefore praying the Kumasi High Court to institute punitive damages against Anglo Gold Ashanti for failing to disclose to the people the true extent of their health status and serious effect of the escape of hazardous chemicals and fumes their activities in the area.