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The Government of Ghana has successfully deployed security forces to remove illegal miners from some key areas of the Obuasi mine, after AngloGold Ashanti Ghana made it clear that the presence of these miners would likely prompt a forced withdrawal from site of the remaining staff performing critical tasks.

Illegal miners had been operating in the Sansu Lizard Face and Wawase areas in recent months, making further incursions into the underground workings. 

The security agencies were deployed after the company notified the authorities that these recent incursions would trigger a forced withdrawal of key personnel undertaking water pumping and ventilation activities, in line with AngloGold Ashanti’s safety and security protocols. Ultimately, this withdrawal would have resulted in the commencement of the flooding of the ore body.

“The government has shown in this instance that it is within its power to peacefully, and speedily restore law and order at the mine,” AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Managing Director Eric Asubonteng said. “We will redouble our efforts to have the authorities replicate this effort on the significant remainder of the operational area, where illegal miners continue to operate with impunity.”

AngloGold Ashanti Ghana has continued to advise, both in its private and public communications, that the prolonged and unchecked presence of several thousand illegal miners on AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s concession and operational areas presents significant and growing danger to the environment, to the safety of the public and our employees, and to lives of the illegal miners. 

Over the past six months, these illegal miners have caused significant damage to underground workings and critical infrastructure.

Since the first incursions in early February, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana believes as many as 64 illegal miners have died in accidents on the areas of the site that its personnel can no longer access. 

The company has taken all possible steps to confirm these incidents either first-hand or through third-party accounts, and has reported each fatality to the relevant authorities. 

There are likely more fatalities that have not come to the attention of the company, and this number will likely grow further whilst this lawlessness is allowed to continue. 

AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is deeply saddened at this tragic loss of life and sends its condolences to the families of the deceased.

The company thanks the authorities for discharging their duties, in this instance, in a professional manner and hopes that the authorities will continue to promptly and effectively clear the remaining areas of the Obuasi mine of illegal miners in accordance with their undertakings. 

However, unless, and until, the company’s concession areas are fully cleared of illegal miners and the company can assess the damage caused over the past six months, the company remains subject to a state of force majeure, as declared in February 2016 at the outset of the crisis.

The recent joint action by police and military is the first tangible action on the ground by the security forces to remedy the situation on site, and it is imperative that we build on this success to find a lasting solution.