In a tragic incident at Ghana’s Obuasi gold mining site in the Ashanti Region, at least nine people were killed and fourteen others seriously injured after a confrontation with military personnel on Saturday night. The victims, according to local officials, were unarmed small-scale miners.
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners confirmed that the attack occurred at the AngloGold Ashanti mine, with Kofi Adams, the association’s local chairman, reporting that the victims were not involved in any armed conflict. He condemned the incident, noting that in the past, trespassers had only been warned off with non-lethal measures.
The Ghanaian armed forces, however, painted a different picture, asserting that around 60 illegal miners, armed with locally made rifles and other weapons, breached the mine’s security fence late Saturday evening. The armed miners allegedly opened fire on a military patrol, prompting a firefight that resulted in casualties.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has called for an immediate investigation into the events, expressing shock over the scale of the violence. The government has also instructed AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses for the injured and the funeral costs for the deceased.
AngloGold Ashanti, which operates the Iduapriem and Obuasi mines, has yet to issue a public statement. The two mines are significant producers of gold in the region, collectively generating over 490,000 ounces last year. The company has faced ongoing challenges with illegal mining activities at its sites, adding to tensions in the region.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the deadly clash as the community calls for justice and accountability.