AngloGold Ashanti has refuted suggestions that some 300 illegal miners trapped in one of the company’s mine shafts are confined and unable to exit.

According to the mining firm, the trapped miners can make their way out of the mine shaft without any restrictions. It revealed that the Obuasi Gold Mine’s management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them.

“AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s Obuasi Mine is aware of media reports alleging that illegal miners may have been trapped underground in the northern areas of the mine, remote from current active mining areas. Unauthorized persons underground are able to exit on foot, via the existing ramp, through the main access of this mining area. No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.”
AngloGold Ashanti

Justifying its argument, AngloGold recounted that yesterday, May 29, 2023, seven illegal miners exited through the main access point on foot and are in the custody of the Ghana Police Service. In light of this, it noted that any unauthorized person underground is encouraged to leave the mine at any time by the exit points where public security personnel remain on standby.

“The intrusion of illegal miners into underground areas remains a significantly dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is working alongside authorities to ensure that only authorized mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas.”
AngloGold Ashanti

Furthermore, AngloGold stated that the safety and security of its employees and community members remain its top priority and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana stands ready to provide any assistance required by the authorities in ensuring the safe exit of any unauthorized persons underground.

It will be recalled that about 300 illegal miners were trapped in one of the shafts belonging to AngloGold’s Obuasi Mines at Anwiam in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region. The miners reportedly entered the underground shaft in search of gold deposits but were unable to come out after all exit routes were closed.

Trapped miners call for help

Commenting on the situation, Ali Tijani, one of the illegal miners, expressed the dire situation they are facing. He noted that some of his colleagues have lost consciousness due to the lack of food and water.

Tijani revealed that they have managed to contact their families and are now relying on the intervention of authorities to rescue them from the shaft.

“Our intention was to work at the AngloGold mine, but upon arrival, we discovered that the site had been shut down. For the past four days, we have been trapped inside with no access to food or water. Despite our pleas, they have denied us even the basic necessity of water. We are approximately 300 people who voluntarily entered the shaft. We urge the District Chief Executive to come to our aid. It is our desperate attempt to provide for ourselves and support our families due to the lack of alternative employment opportunities.”
Ali Tijani

Issues surrounding illegal miners being trapped in pits have become rampant in the country. Earlier this month, seven persons lost their lives after an illegal mining pit in which they were working at Korle Teye (Takoroso site) in the Birim North of the Eastern Region, collapsed. It was unclear what caused the collapse of the pit, but some community members suggested that the heavy rainfall recorded in most parts of the country was a contributing factor.

Reacting to this, Deputy NADMO Director, Douglas Adomako, revealed that the remaining miners said to have been trapped under the caved pit may have escaped through another route.