AngloGold Ashanti Ghana (AGA), has bemoaned the interference of illegal miners in the operations of the security detailed to protect the company’s Obuasi mine.
The company fears its mining site will be irreparably damaged if efforts are not stepped up to control the illegal miners.The military is expected to discontinue the flashing out of the illegal miners. Newly appointed General Manager & Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Eric Asubongteng explained,
“The military men carried themselves professionally and made the progress without any incident. Unfortunately, there has been some interference. We do not know where it is coming from as the military’s work has been interfered twice.”
“As we speak right now, the military is on order to only man sub entrances of our mine. Even the areas that the military cleared within four days of their arrival, the illegal miners have gone back there as the military has retreated.” He further stated.
Government ordered the return of the military to the site mid last month to clear illegal small scale miners who had taken over parts of the mining giant’s underground concession.
This also followed clashes between the illegal miners and staff of AngloGold Ashanti, leading to the death of one of its top managers.
AngloGold subsequently suspended its operations at the mine providing only essential services.
Eric Asubongteng further expressed worry about the company’s inability to continue supplying critical services to the Obuasi Mine and to local communities.
“Instead of AngloGold Ashanti spending the time and resources it has at the moment to try to restore the status quo, we rather want to be using the time to be bringing the mine back on its feet so that it can employ the thousands of the employees it had while creating jobs for the people in Obuasi and Ghana at large.” stated.
By: Norvan Acquah
