In a tragic confrontation at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, over 10 illegal miners have reportedly lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries during a clash with AngloGold security personnel.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the miners, who had been advised by their leaders not to carry weapons, ventured onto AngloGold’s premises intending to expand a narrow pathway for their operations.
He said Security personnel approached and demanded they vacate the area, but tensions quickly escalated.
According to one miner, their leaders instructed them to remain and continue their activities despite the warnings.
He said some miners knelt before the security team to plead for leniency, but most of those who knelt were shot dead, leaving only a few survivors.
However, he recounted a harrowing scene where initial warning shots were fired before the situation turned deadly.
“The soldiers fired three warning shots, but on the third, they directed the guns at us. At first, we thought they were not live bullets, but when we saw many of our people lying in cold blood, we fled,” the miner revealed.
Disturbing videos obtained by Lawsonmultimedia.com show individuals with injuries ranging from moderate to severe, while some were seen lifeless.
The footage also captures vandalized vehicles belonging to AngloGold Obuasi Mine, along with damage to other facilities.
Tensions remain high in the area, as AngloGold Obuasi has long struggled with ongoing invasions of its concessions by local miners.
The incident has raised concerns about illegal mining activities and the enforcement measures employed to address them.
