The Ghana Chamber of Mines has condemned attacks by illegal miners which left some persons injured and properties destroyed at the Benso concession of Golden Star Wassa Limited in the Western Region. 

The Chamber, in a press release, expressed its greatest concerns about the spate of attacks on mines in the country, and the increasingly hostile and violent acts of the perpetrators despite the presence of police officers at the mines.

Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Dr. Sulemanu Koney, described the recent attacks on people and assets as a “disappointing watershed” in Ghana’s history. 

He indicated the upsurge, if not checked, could erupt terrorist-linked attacks as seen in some mines within the West African sub-region.

Dr. Koney admonished the government, which is a shareholder in the mining industry, to prioritize security at the mines. 

“Since the hike in such attacks has coincided with an upsurge in terrorist-linked attacks at mines in other mining jurisdictions in the sub-region, the government must prioritize the security of the mines,” he said.

He continued that: “This would not only reinforce the State’s role as a shareholder in all mining companies and owner of mineral resources but guarantee a conducive environment for mining operations to be conducted,” he said. 

The governing body of the minerals industry indicated the increasing cases of illegal miners’ pounce on mining companies smacked of the growing state of insecurity for both citizens and non-citizens working in mining companies. 

The press statement sighted by Luv News further noted Golden Star has been saddled with huge and evitable costs in replacing properties vandalised during the riot.

Background

Illegal small-scale miners, on March 16, 2023, besieged the mine and set ablaze some properties owned by the mining company after a team of security men and the police warded them off a concession they had invaded to cart away mine dust to prospect for gold.

The altercation that ensued left some illegal miners with various degrees of injuries.

The miners in retaliation pursued employees within the precinct of the Benso mine and torched 12 vehicles, including excavators, ambulances and pick-ups.

The recent attack on the mine amounts to the skyrocketing cases of insurgence against mining companies across the country over the last decade.

Attacks on Mines

Newmont Ahafo South Mine destructions

On November 16, 2022, some unknown assailants attacked residential facilities at the Ahafo South Mine of Newmont Mining Limited. The attackers vandalized properties and looted the facilities which came barely 24 hours after a clash between the youth of Kenyasi Number 2 – where the mine is located – and some police officers. 

Staffer at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine killed

Head of Corporate Affairs of the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine was killed during a riot involving illegal miners demanding access to a larger portion of the concession. The mining staffer identified as John Owusu died after sustaining injury in a fatal car accident when he and his colleagues tried to escape an attack by a horde of ‘galamseyers’ who hurled stones and projectiles at them, including security personnel. This occurred in February 2016. 

The association bemoaned the heart wrenching resurgence of violent attacks on mining companies, calling on the government to act accordingly to tame the insolvency of illegal miners in the country.

“Mining is a catalyst for development and any attack on a mine is an attack on our national development. Recent events therefore detract from the government’s efforts to position the mining industry as a fulcrum of its economic recovery programme and preferred country of investments for both local and foreign investors,” the statement read.

Thirty-three suspects have so far been picked up by the Ghana Police Service for preliminary investigations.

The Chamber urged the security force to ensure swift prosecution of persons found culpable.