Seven illegal miners lost their lives, and one was seriously injured in a gunfight with military personnel at the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Obuasi, Ghana, according to a statement from the military.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the Ashanti Region when around 60 illegal miners breached the mine’s security fence and entered the Deep Decline section. Armed with locally made rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, and other weapons, the miners reportedly opened fire on the stationed military troops, prompting them to respond in self-defense.
The military reported that seven miners were killed during the exchange, while one sustained serious injuries. A soldier was also injured by pellets from a pump-action gun but has since received treatment. The remaining miners fled the scene.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the clash and ensure accountability for any unlawful actions. Security forces have been deployed to maintain order in Obuasi, one of the world’s oldest gold mining towns, and to implement measures to prevent future incidents.
The AngloGold Ashanti mine, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, operates two major mines in Ghana, including Obuasi, which produced over 490,000 ounces of gold last year. The government has intensified efforts to combat illegal mining by enhancing security measures at mining sites across the country.