Seven illegal miners killed at AngloGold Ashanti mine, Ghanaian army says

Published 9:30 AM ET, Monday January 20, 2025

On Saturday a violent confrontation occurred at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi gold mining site in Ghana’s Ashanti region, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals. The Ghana Armed Forces reported that approximately 60 individuals, identified as illegal miners, breached the mine’s security fence around 11:00 PM. Armed with locally manufactured rifles and other weapons, they reportedly fired upon a military patrol, prompting the soldiers to return fire. This exchange led to seven fatalities and one injury among the intruders.

In response to the incident, President John Dramani Mahama expressed deep regret over the loss of life and has ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash. He has also directed AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses of the injured and the burial costs for the deceased.

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners has contested the military’s account, stating that nine unarmed individuals were killed and fourteen severely injured during the incident. They described the event as unprecedented and difficult to understand, noting that in the past, trespassers were typically deterred with warning shots.

In the aftermath of the violence, both private and public schools in the Obuasi and Obuasi East municipalities have been temporarily closed for two days to ensure the safety of students and staff amid escalating tensions.

Illegal gold mining, locally known as “galamsey,” has been a persistent issue in Ghana, leading to environmental degradation and posing significant challenges to both the government and mining companies. The recent incident at the Obuasi mine underscores the ongoing tensions between illegal miners and security forces in the region.