Obuasi Shootings: Military confirms death of seven illegal miners

Accra, Jan. 19, GNA – The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says seven illegal miners have died after a shootout with military men on duty at the Obuasi AngloGold Ashanti mining site on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at about 2300 hours.

This was after the miners numbering about 60 armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, machetes, axes, among other tools and equipment, breached the mines security fence and intruded at a Cote D’or Ramp in their attempt to enter its Deep Decline.

This was contained in a press release from the GAF signed by Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General Public Relations, and copied to the Ghana News Agency.

According to the statement, the illegal miners fired at the military patrol team on Operation HALT II duties when they stopped them from accessing the area.

The statement noted that the military, in turn, returned fire in self defence, leading to the death of the seven illegal miners and one “seriously” injured.

The statement added that a soldier was injured by a pellet hit from a pump action gun and had been treated.

According to the statement, the troops were able to retrieve six pump action BB cartridges.

The statement cautioned all that military personnel on authorised duty had the right to defend themselves, lives and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary.

It further urged all illegal miners to stay away from mining concessions and also desist from engaging troops in shootouts since the consequences of such actions could be fatal.

GNA