Iduapriem, Ghana
Iduapriem is a multiple open-pit operation located in western Ghana, near the town of Tarkwa.
Ownership
100%
AngloGold Ashanti
Mineral Resource
of gold
Gold production
All-in sustaining costs
Capital expenditure
Workforce
including contractors
Overview and locality
Iduapriem, a 137km2 concession which includes Ajopa South West, is located in the western region of Ghana, some 70km north of the coastal city of Takoradi and about 10km south-west of Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine.
Iduapriem is an open-pit mine with two circuits each comprising two-stage milling – a gravity circuit and a carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant. The gravity circuit recovers about 30% of the gold and the remainder is recovered by the 418ktpm capacity CIL plant.
A brief history
- A feasibility study was completed in 1990 and, in October 1991, the then owners, Golden Shamrock Limited, (Golden Shamrock) began construction of a 1.36Mtpa semi-autogenous milling circuit and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) plant.
- Mining began in August 1992 with the first gold pour achieved in September of that year.
- Golden Shamrock was acquired by Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited in 1996.
- In 2000, a portion of the non-operational Teberebie Goldfields Limited company (a subsidiary of Pioneer Goldfields Limited) was purchased, resulting in an increased Ore Reserve and LOM.
- In 2002, Ashanti upgraded the plant capacity to 4Mtpa and, in 2004, AngloGold merged with Ashanti to become AngloGold Ashanti.
- In 2009, the plant capacity was further extended to the current 5.2Mtpa.
- In March 2023, a Joint Venture with GoldFields was proposed through which Iduapriem would merge with neighbouring Tarkwa mine to create the largest gold mine in Africa.
ESG statistics 2022
Total recordable injuries frequency rate
0.59 per million hours worked
Community investment
$1.435m
Reportable environmental incidents
0
Water use
426ML
Water use efficiency
0.08kL/t
Energy consumption
1.97PJ
Energy use intensity
0.36GJ/t
GHG emissions
164kt
GHG emission intensity
30kg/t CO2e
Rehabilitation liabilities
$46m
Related stories

Iduapriem improves safety through fatigue management
Iduapriem has introduced a successful fatigue management system to limit the health and safety risks related to fatigue. Called Smart, the system has shown an 18% increase in alertness levels among employees over a 12-month period. This improvement was seen at all hours of the day, with the most significant increase evident during the night shift.

Successful trial farm at Old Tailings Storage Facility at Iduapriem
The development and execution of a closure plan is intrinsic in the planning and during the operation of any AngloGold Ashanti project. Planning for closure is part of a wider development plan and until approval has been given by the relevant authorities, progress on any new operation cannot begin.

Health work goes beyond the mine fence
We know that health risk is broader than the workplace and a significant proportion of determinants of health lie beyond the mine fence. Vice President: Group Health, Dr Bafedile Chauke-Moagi outlines AngloGold Ashanti’s responsibility to protecting public health.

Aqua culture project in Iduapriem to boost local fish farming industry
At AngloGold Ashanti, it is our aim to contribute to resilient, self-sustaining communities. One of the ways in which we do so at our Iduapriem mine is by developing the local fish farming industry as an alternative and sustainable source of livelihood for communities.