The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed the death of seven persons and injury of another after some illegal miners intruded on the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region Saturday night.
The military said about 60 illegal miners breached the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines security fence and intruded at Cote D’or ramp in an attempt to enter the Deep Decline of the mines.
A statement signed and issued by Brigadier General Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, Director of Public Relations, GAF, said the illegal miners fired gunshots at the military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties in the area.
The GAF said the illegal miners wielded locally manufactured rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes.
“The troops returned fire in self-defense. The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners and one seriously injured,” the statement said.
“The remaining illegal miners bolted away. A soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated. Six pump action BB cartridges were retrieved,” it added.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed an immediate investigation into the violent clash at the AngloGold Ashanti mining site.
In a statement, the Presidency expressed regret over the incident, saying that the loss of life was a matter of great concern.
“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,” the statement read.
Latest Stories
-
Ministerial vetting: Some MPs behave as if they’ve ‘drunk something’ – Battor Mankrado
4 hours -
Commander Sabina Dennison takes command of Ghana Navy Supply Base in Takoradi
8 hours -
Bimbilla SHS students struggle amidst severe water crisis
8 hours -
Mahama working to bring Mali, others back to ECOWAS – Ablakwa
10 hours -
Ashaiman military brutality: Battor Mankrado urges Mahama to hold perpetrators accountable
10 hours -
Kantamanto, Techiman markets bounce back after devastating fire outbreak
10 hours -
Security arrangement to be ‘standardized’ going forward – DCOP Lydia Donkor
10 hours -
Miguel Jiménez crowned champion of 49th Hassan II Golf Trophy
11 hours -
At least 30 missing after China landslide
11 hours -
Mustapha Gbande’s appointment sparks excitement among NDC’s grassroot
12 hours -
Judge blocks Musk team access to Treasury Department records
13 hours -
England’s Cara Gainer wins 2025 Lalla Meryem Cup in thrilling play-Off
13 hours -
Luv FM hosts successful 2025 edition of health walk in Kumasi
13 hours -
Gov’t suspends National Roads Authority Act for broader stakeholder consultations
13 hours -
BCI re-iterates calls on government to include cancer patients in LEAP program
14 hours