Both companies are eying locations that are in the middle of residential areas. Residents have objected to having a gold processing firm near their homes. They complained about the lack of an independent study into the effects on the environment and the public health. The National Environment Authority (NMA) is currently putting together a report that will help authorities to make a final decision.

Oil, Gas and Environment (OGM) Minister Patrick Brunings claimed that a study has already been conducted and that data has also been collected. “Data is important when it comes to making decisions,” said the minister who added that the NMA has a shortage of employees with the expertise that is needed and that is also lacks modern equipment which delays the progress. Despite these shortages at the NMA the minister claims that the report and the recommendations of the NMA are crucial to making a responsible decision. Meanwhile the opposition is growing in the residential areas. Residents claim that the environment report that was presented by one of  the gold processing firms contains errors and even lies. They explained that the health risks are not taken seriously in the report. The residents expressed grave concern regarding the fact that one of the firms wants to set up shop in the direct vicinity of a daycare center and a family clinic. They explained that these gold processing firms will produce mercury vapors and that breathing in mercury vapors can harm the nervous system, lungs and kidneys. A high concentration of mercury vapors was detected a short while ago. Residents fear that the arrival of gold processing firms in their neighbourhood will only worden the quality of the air that they breathe in every single day.