The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has reported the deaths of seven illegal miners and one critically injured individual following a violent clash between illegal miners and military personnel stationed at the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine.
The confrontation, which occurred on January 18, in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, escalated tensions in the area, with four vehicles set ablaze during the incident.
In a statement released the same day, GAF stated that its troops acted in self-defence after being fired upon by illegal miners while attempting to prevent them from accessing the Deep Decline of the mine.
According to GAF, the illegal miners were armed with an assortment of weapons, including locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes, and machetes.
“The troops returned fire in self-defence. The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners and one seriously injured. The remaining illegal miners bolted away. A soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated. Six pump action BB cartridges were retrieved.”
GAF urged illegal miners to stay away from mining concessions and also desist from engaging troops in shootouts since the consequences of such actions could be fatal.
“The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) wishes to reiterate its caution to all and sundry that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life.”
The clash has resulted in the closure of AngloGold Ashanti Schools.
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