The Minerals Commission has ordered Chinese mining company Shaanxi Ltd to suspend all mining activities with immediate effect.

The order follows the death of 13 miners at the company’s mining site in the Upper East region on Wednesday.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred while workers of the company based in the Talensi district blasted explosives in an effort to mine.

Eyewitnesses say powerful billows of smoke choked them to death.

The CEO of the Minerals Commission, Addae Antwi-Boasiako said in a statement copied to Joy News, “Management of Shaanxi Mining Company Limited is directed to suspend all mining operations at Gbane with immediate effect until further notice pending investigations into the tragic incident that occurred today.”

Timeline of deaths at Shaanxi mining company.

October 2018: An underground cleaner dies after a machine smashed his chest inside a mining pit.

April 2017: Seven illegal miners die after being trapped by smoke 

January 2016: An employee of the company dies after he was buried under a pile of gold ore.

April 2015:  Two miners die and eight critically injured from poisonous gas explosive.

April 2, 2014: Two miners were allegedly gassed to death and one severely injured.

October 2014: Three miners lost their lives when a mining pit collapsed on them.

May 26, 2013: Three illegal small-scale miners perish in a tunnel following an explosion.