[needs update][2][3][4] The company has been accused of "human rights abuses and irresponsible practices" by Earthworks, an environmental organization, and others.

[5][6] In October 2008, an instrument malfunction caused a spill of sodium cyanide, and the Ghanaian EPA determined that the company had violated its permits.

The company was fined $4.9 million and the government agency determined that Newmont failed to appropriately report or investigate the spill.

The water also contained levels of cadmium and arsenic that far exceeded WHO safety standards.

[8] Earthworks reports that the mine displaced about 9,500 people who were mostly subsistence farmers.