Ghana government called to act to prevent Obuasi mine collapse

A group of prominent citizens of Obuasi has called for action by the government to prevent the collapse of the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, which has been operating in the area over the decades.

They are demanding adequate security protection for the mine and eviction of small scale miners, who have forcibly seized of parts of the company’s concession.

The group – “Obuasi must live Coalition” warned that the people would never forgive anybody whose actions or inactions would lead to the collapse of the mine.

Its Convener, Mr. Prince Aboagye, said everything must be done to ensure that the international gold mining and exploration giant resumed its operations.

He expressed disappointment at what he said was the failure of both the Obuasi Municipal Security Committee and the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) act boldly to tackle head-on the illegal occupation of the mine’s concession.

“Our checks indicate that the company has met the REGSEC on several occasions to impress upon it the need to order the military to move in and save the situation but sadly these appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

It has become apparent that in its desire to satisfy a group of small scale miners, the Council is unconsciously killing the very hen that lay the golden eggs”, he added.

Mr. Aboagye said they were aware that Minerals Commission had approved the company’s decision to relinquish 60 percent of its concession and asked that the government came clear on measures taken to make this swathe of land available to the small scale miners.

He also urged AngloGold Ashanti to provide details on the 40 percent of its concession it had decided to hold on to, so as to enable the people to help protect the delineated area.

Source: GNA