A violent clash between small-scale miners and military personnel guarding the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine has left eight people reportedly dead.

Four vehicles were burnt in the confrontation in the Ashanti Regional town.

The incident which occurred last night, has heightened tensions in the area.

According to Eric Gyamfi, an eyewitness who spoke to Myjoyonline.com, the small-scale miners besieged the premises of the mine at midnight, arriving fully armed and opening fire.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Soldiers guarding the facility responded with gunfire, leading to the deaths of over eight miners.

Injured individuals have been transported to the Obuasi Government Hospital and the AGA Hospital for medical treatment, while the situation in the town continues to deteriorate.

Following the clash, agitated members of the small-scale miners have taken to the streets, vandalising property and burning tires.

Four vehicles, including buses, have reportedly been torched, further heightening fears among residents.

"They are burning tires in the road and they have burnt some of the AGA buses. Right now the demonstration is still going on... The galamsey boys [are demonstrating] because some of their colleagues have been shot dead. So they are destroying things," Mr Gyamfi told Myjoyonline.com.

The incident has left the Obuasi community on edge, with security concerns intensifying.

• Read also: AngloGold Ashanti Schools closed due to clash in Obuasi

Authorities are yet to provide a detailed account of what triggered the midnight assault, and the situation remains volatile.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.