Akyem Adukrom (E/R), Feb. 24, – Ghana's EPA has launched a pilot of Ionic Nano Copper technology to reclaim rivers ravaged by illegal small-scale mining, starting with the heavily silted Birim in the Eastern Region.
The blue liquid formula neutralizes pollutants like mercury and cyanide within 24 hours across a one-kilometre stretch, costing $200,000 per application, said Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, EPA CEO, at Tuesday's rollout.
She highlighted its proven safety in Malaysia and Canada, noting it spares aquatic life, cures fish gill diseases, and eradicates harmful microbes—benefits the government now plans to enforce for all miners' wastewater treatment.
Partnering with the Water Research Institute, Ghana Standards Authority, Atomic Energy Commission, Water Resources Commission, Ellish Solutions, and Ghana Water Company, the project analyzes pre- and post-treatment samples for turbidity, heavy metals (lead, mercury), pH, clarity, and fish survival rates.
"Not a magic bullet—it's not easy, but we must start somewhere," cautioned Dr. Kwadwo Andoh, Principal Scientist at the Water Research Institute.
Akyem Adukrom's Okyeame Yaw Appiah pledged traditional support, calling on miners to protect vital water bodies amid reports that over 60% of Ghana's rivers—including Pra and Ankobra—face siltation and toxins threatening ecosystems and supplies.
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