Ghana's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a pre-closure notice to Cardinal Namdini Mining, a Chinese-owned gold operator, for allegedly failing to report a tailings spill. The notice marks the second time in as many weeks that the regulator has moved against a Chinese-owned mining company. EPA Deputy Chief Executive for Operations Michael Ayamga confirmed the action, stating that the company, owned by China's Shandong Gold, failed to promptly report that a tailings pipeline had decoupled, causing mine waste to spill from the transport system.
The EPA's action against Cardinal Namdini Mining follows a similar move against another Chinese-owned firm, Earl International Group, which was shut down over a legacy compliance issue linked to illegal gold mining. A spokesperson for Earl International told Yen that the company had since resolved the EPA's concerns and was cleared to resume operations. The EPA's crackdown on Chinese-owned mining companies signals a tougher approach to policing the sector.
According to Ayamga, the EPA intends to move away from periodic, one-off inspections toward continuous monitoring and environmental, social and governance audits across the mining sector. The agency wants to be proactive rather than reactive and push beyond routine visits into actual enforcement. This shift in approach comes as the government tightens control over the mining sector, including higher royalties, expanded local-content rules, and new mining legislation aimed at boosting state oversight and Ghanaian ownership of the industry.
The hidden spill at Cardinal Namdini Mining highlights the risks associated with tailings pipelines, which carry mine waste, including water mixed with chemicals and ground rock, from a processing plant to a storage facility. When such pipelines fail, the spill can contaminate nearby soil and water sources used by farming communities. The EPA's shift in approach matters for Ghanaians living near mining concessions, as it determines how quickly environmental damage is detected, reported, and remedied.
AngloGold Ashanti's Iduapriem operation was fined last year over an environmental breach, though further details were not provided. AngloGold Ashanti separately confirmed it recorded one reportable environmental incident in 2025, on 17 February, when process water and solids leaked through a tear in the liner of its Beposo tailings storage facility. The company said it halted gold processing immediately, notified both the EPA and the Minerals Commission, and carried out permanent repairs following joint inspections.
The EPA is also reviewing findings from a recent inspection of Gold Fields' Tarkwa operation in the Western Region. According to Ayamga, the company's management has received the inspection report, and the authority is still deciding whether further engagement is needed. Gold Fields said it was told on 14 September of the EPA's plan to carry out a broader environmental, social, governance, and socio-economic impact assessment at the site.
The EPA has not said when it will decide whether to proceed with closing Cardinal Namdini Mining, and the company has yet to respond publicly to the pre-closure notice. The authority's decision will be closely watched by stakeholders, including local communities and investors, as the mining sector continues to play a significant role in Ghana's economy.
Key points
- The EPA's crackdown on Chinese-owned mining companies signals a tougher approach to policing the sector.
- The hidden spill at Cardinal Namdini Mining highlights the risks associated with tailings pipelines.
- The EPA intends to move away from periodic inspections toward continuous monitoring and environmental audits.
