Accra, Jan. 19, GNA – The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed the death of seven persons and injury of another after some illegal miners intruded 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-defence. 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.
GNA