Audio By Carbonatix
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited says it will fully cooperate with investigators tasked to probe circumstances leading to the arrest of illegal miners on the concession of its Obuasi Gold Mine.
On Tuesday, the Minority Group released footage of alleged military brutality against suspected illegal miners.
In the released video, the suspected illegal miners were seen lying prostrate in a muddy water body while the military personnel stood over them with guns issuing instructions.
The suspected miners numbered about 17, some of whom were shirtless and others whose clothing had been stained with mud.
According to AngloGold Ashanti Ghana, none of the suspected illegal miners arrested were injured in the process.
On the back of these happening, AshantiGold declared its commitment to cooperate with the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources to investigate the matter.
“AngloGold Ashanti Ghana will fully cooperate with these investigations,” parts of the release indicated.
“Illegal mining, particularly in underground areas, is unsafe as it undermines the structural integrity of established infrastructure and the viability of mining operations. In so doing, it endangers the lives of company employees and contractors, public security personnel and the perpetrators themselves. AngloGold Ashanti is a signatory to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and remains in close engagement with its various stakeholders to safely and responsibly address illegal mining on its concession,” the mining company added.
The Committee was established to investigate the issue after the Ranking Member on the Energy Committee in Parliament, John Jinapor condemned the treatment meted out to the suspected miners. He also called on the Interior Minister, Defence Minister and Lands and Natural Resources Minister to constitute an impartial and credible investigation into the act.
According to him, culprits should be made to face the full rigours of the law.
He said when this is done, it will serve as “the only way to show that the impunity and favoritism that has characterized this Government, is at least, being dealt with.”
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