The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has claimed that a violent confrontation at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi gold mine in Ghana has resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, with 14 others seriously injured. According to Kofi Adams, the local chairman of GNASSM, the miners were unarmed when they were shot by military personnel during the incident.

Military and GNASSM Accounts Differ

The tragic clash occurred when a group of approximately 60 illegal miners allegedly breached the mine’s security fence and opened fire on a military patrol. However, the Ghanaian armed forces presented a different version of events. The army stated that seven miners were killed in a firefight after the miners, armed with locally manufactured rifles, initiated the attack.

In response to the incident, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has ordered a full investigation. The government has also instructed AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses for the injured and the burial costs for the deceased.

About the Obuasi Gold Mine

The Obuasi mine, located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, is one of the country’s most prominent gold mining operations. It has been in production since 1897, with operations temporarily halted in late 2014. The site features extensive infrastructure, including a 2.4 million tonnes per annum processing plant and ongoing redevelopment efforts. Despite the tragedy, the mine remains a key asset for AngloGold Ashanti.