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The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have confirmed the deaths of seven illegal miners following a violent confrontation with soldiers at the AngloGold Ashanti Mines in Obuasi.
The clash occurred late on Saturday, January 18, 2025, around 11:00 PM, when a group of approximately 60 illegal miners breached the mine’s security fence to access the Deep Decline area.
According to a press release issued by the Department of Public Relations at the GAF, the illegal miners were armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, knives, axes, gas cylinders, and other tools.
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Upon being confronted by the military personnel on duty, the miners opened fire, prompting the soldiers to return fire in self-defence. The shootout resulted in the deaths of seven illegal miners and left one other seriously injured. The remaining miners fled the scene.
One soldier sustained injuries from pellets fired by a pump-action gun and has since received treatment. At the site, the soldiers retrieved six pump-action BB cartridges.
The GAF reiterated its stance that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to use lethal force when necessary to protect lives and property. Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations, urged illegal miners to refrain from dangerous activities and confrontations with security forces, emphasising that such actions could have fatal consequences.
“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,” the statement read.
The release further cautioned, “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. GAF wishes to urge all 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 AngloGold Ashanti Mines in Obuasi have long been a hotspot for illegal mining activities, which pose significant safety risks and operational challenges.
The GAF has been conducting Operation HALT II to combat illegal mining and ensure the integrity of mining concessions.
The GAF has appealed to the public and illegal miners to heed warnings, respect mining boundaries, and avoid confrontations with security forces to prevent further loss of life. This latest incident underscores the dangers associated with illegal mining and the necessity of adhering to the law.
