By Eric Mauwena Egbeta

Seven miners were killed and one critically injured when about 60 illegal miners, armed with rifles, pump-action guns, and knives, attempted to breach security at the AngloGold Ashanti mine.  

The miners reportedly opened fire on the military stationed at the site, prompting a retaliatory response from the armed forces.

The situation is a direct reflection of the wider issue of illegal mining in Ghana, where local communities have increasingly turned to gold extraction as a means of livelihood. In a region where AngloGold Ashanti operates one of the country’s largest mines, many locals feel excluded from the economic benefits of the industry.  

Despite Obuasi’s long history of gold mining, formal employment in the sector has been limited, leaving thousands of unskilled locals to engage in dangerous, illegal mining practices.

The violence on Saturday is part of a wider trend of confrontations between illegal miners and private security forces, employed by companies like AngloGold Ashanti to protect their assets.  

Tensions have been rising in recent years as illegal miners, often armed with locally manufactured weapons, continue to seek access to mine concessions. The miners argue that they have a right to mine the gold-rich land that surrounds their communities, citing a lack of employment and opportunities within the formal mining sector.

Following the violent altercation, Ghana’s President John Mahama has called for an immediate investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, local schools in Obuasi have been closed indefinitely as authorities brace for potential escalation. With many injured miners still receiving treatment in hospitals, the long-standing issue of illegal mining remains a critical challenge for the region’s stability and security.

--ChannelAfrica--