Military personnel stationed at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine have allegedly shot and killed 7 miners, who had illegally entered the concession of the mining conglomerate, in search of the precious mineral.
The incident happened yesterday at Cot’e D’or, which is within the legal concession of the mining giants.
The military have confirmed the incident through a statement released in the evening of yesterday, arguing that they were provoked by the miners, numbering about 60, who were reportedly firing at them, and that they acted in self-defence.
The management of AGA is, however, yet to comment on the tragic incident that has resulted in tension in the Obuasi Township and its environs.
The Chronicle has learnt that somewhere last year, the small scale miners petitioned the government to release the Cot’e D’or concession, which had allegedly been abandoned by the AGA to them to mine.
It is, however, not known whether both the AGA and the government agreed to allow the miners to mine in the disputed spot.
What is known though is that the miners went to the concession yesterday and the ensuing dispute with the military led to the death of the seven miners, whilst others who sustained various degrees of injuries are currently recuperating at the hospital.
The dead, whose names were not readily available, at the time of filing this report, have been deposited at the Obuasi Government Hospital mortuary, while eight of the injured have been sent to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi for treatment.
The ninth injured person is, however, receiving treatment at the Obuasi Government hospital.
Speaking to the angry crowd that had gathered at the hospital, the Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Ankomah, noted that a committee would be set up to investigate the shooting, which resulted in the death of the seven, noting that anyone found culpable will be made to face the law.
He called on the youth to cool down and leave everything to the law enforcement agencies to take over the matter.
The NDC 2024 Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East, Mr Samuel Aboagye, who visited the hospital expressed shock over the shooting incident.
He stated that the young men had gone there to look for their daily bread and shouldn’t have been killed.
He urged the youth to calm down, saying every possible means will be employed to ensure that justice is done in the case.
Following the clash, the angry youth succeeded in burning four vehicles belonging to sub-contractors of AGA.
Meanwhile, a reinforcement team of police and military personnel has since arrived at Obuasi to beef up the security and enforce law and order in the Obuasi Township.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), in their statement earlier referenced, confirmed the violent clash between military personnel and illegal miners at the AngloGold Ashanti mines in Obuasi, resulting in seven deaths and one injury.
The incident occurred on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at around 11:00 p.m., when approximately 60 illegal miners breached the security fence at the Cote D’ or Ramp, attempting to access the Deep Decline of the mines.
According to the statement, the illegal miners were armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes. When soldiers deployed under Operation HALT II attempted to prevent their entry, the intruders opened fire on the military personnel.
The statement continued to explain that the soldiers responded in self-defence, resulting in a shootout. Seven illegal miners were killed, while one sustained serious injuries. The remaining intruders fled the scene.
One soldier was injured after being hit by pellets from a pump-action gun but has since received medical treatment. The troops also recovered six pump-action BB cartridges from the site.
The GAF reiterated its right to use lethal force if necessary to protect lives and property while on authorized duty.
“Military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary, to preserve life,” the statement emphasised.
The Armed Forces has further cautioned illegal miners against invading mining concessions and engaging troops in violent confrontations, warning that such actions could have fatal consequences.
In another development, the Mahama administration has expressed concern over the killings and promised a full probe.
The following is the press statement issued to that effect by his acting spokesman, Felix Kwakye Ofosu;
The Government wishes to express deep regret over the tragic loss of up to eight (8) lives, said to be illegal miners, following a violent clash at a mining site in Obuasi.
In response to the unfortunate incident, President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are brought to justice.
Government has, meanwhile, asked the management of Anglo-Gold Ashanti to bear the medical expenses of the injured individuals fully and to facilitate the burial arrangements for those who have lost their lives.
The security agencies have also been tasked to take prompt action to restore peace in the area and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences.
From Chronicle Reporters, Obuasi
