A tragic confrontation at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi mine in Ghana resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, according to a local small-scale miners’ association. Kofi Adams, the chairman of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, confirmed on Sunday that nine unarmed people were killed, with 14 others severely injured during the altercation at the mining site in the Ashanti Region.
While Adams maintained the victims were not armed, Ghana’s armed forces reported a contrary account that indicated the miners had been armed and were in a shootout. According to the military, about 60 illegal miners armed with homemade rifles and other weapons breached the mine’s security at around 11 p.m. (2300 GMT) on Saturday, leading to a shootout with military patrols stationed at the site.
This is unprecedented, and it’s hard to understand why this happened,” Adams said, adding that previously, trespassers had been scared away by warning shots, not deadly force.
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has urged the government to launch an immediate investigation into the incident. The government has also directed AngloGold Ashanti to bear the medical costs of the miners injured and the burial expenses of the victims.
AngloGold Ashanti, the Johannesburg-listed mining company that controls the Obuasi and Iduapriem mines, did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment. In 2024, the two mines together produced over 490,000 ounces of gold.
