In the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releasing its initial findings of investigations into the pollution of water sources incident in Grand Cape Mount County by the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC), the gold exploration and mining company has outrightly rejected and disagreed with the findings.
According to a Bea Mountain press release dated June 4, 2022, the company says it categorically rejects and disagrees with the findings and claims being made by the EPA as the degree and extent of testing conducted so far are inconclusive and filled with analytical gaps.
“We are confident and particularly reaffirm our position of being in no breach of any required scientific standards. We note that the EPA has found no evidence of damage to or any spill or irregular discharge from the TSF. In fact, our TSF is routinely monitored in accordance with international standards by an independent and internationally accredited design company.
“Our disagreement is further supported by the fact that the EPA itself has called for further investigations (and the EPA’s opinion that its test results for Cyanide are far below what is required to cause fatality). BMMC therefore welcomes the Agency’s decision to expand the testing by inviting the participation of competent independent third-party entities and fully commits to remain cooperative of this effort to establish the facts.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, BMMC will continue to support the well-being of its host communities by providing alternative sources of protein and water until all doubts are clear by a conclusive investigation into these allegations,” the BMMC press release stated.
EPA stands by findings
Meanwhile, the EPA says that it stands by its preliminary findings on the water pollution incident in Grand Cape Mount County and categorically states that the findings were based on scientific analysis and data collected by well-trained technicians and scientists in the field.
In a June 6, 2022 press release, the EPA noted that its technicians, and scientists in the field conducted scientific investigations downstream of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC) operations and continued upstream to assess the quality of the water, probing the authenticity of the alleged pollution and trace plausible source(s) of pollution.
“The initial phase of the investigation included sample collection, social interviews, community engagement, environmental scoping, geospatial data, and drone imagery.
“The Agency maintains the authenticity of the preliminary findings and the integrity of its work. The Agency will move ahead with plans to further widen the investigation including the invitation of a third-party EPA-certified consultant/Laboratory to further determine the cause of death of the aquatic species.
“The EPA, therefore, calls on the management of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation to cooperate with the investigation. Meanwhile, the Agency renews its calls on the BMMC to continue the provision of water, fish, and other protein sources to the affected communities,” the EPA categorically.
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