The recent clashes between illegal miners and soldiers at the AngloGold Ashanti concession in Obuasi have drawn significant attention, sparking debates about illegal mining and the measures employed to curb it.
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM), Mr. Godwin Armah has confirmed the legal basis of the Obuasi illegal AngloGold miners that were killed and injured.
He began by confirming that 9 people died as a result of the clash, highlighting the complexities of illegal mining activities and the steps taken to address these issues. Mr. Godwin Armah began by addressing the classification of illegal miners, stating that;
“Anytime you trespass a concession; the concession belongs to AngloGold Ashanti, So, once you don’t have any concession and you trespass on this concession, then you technically become an illegal miner.”
Mr. Godwin Armah General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM)
Armah recalled the history of illegal mining activities in Obuasi, particularly during the period when the mine was under maintenance.
“Obuasi has been a very typical mining area where there have been some trespasses on the concession, especially on AngloGold Ashanti. I can recall in 2016 when the mine was under maintenance, we had information about illegal operators who invaded the mines underground which the AngloGold took Ghana government to international Arbitration.”
Mr. Godwin Armah General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM)
This prompted the formation of a movement committee tasked with relocating the miners. Thus the movement committee, comprising various stakeholders, worked to relocate the miners to designated areas.
Mr. Armah highlighted the collaborative efforts, including engagements and public hearings, which facilitated the relocation of miners to different regions.
He indicated that relocated to new areas, they were released by the government through the Minerals Commission. He indicated that the NPP government banned all small-scale mining in these areas. However, he added that they couldn’t complete the process and due to a change in government led to a resurgence of illegal mining activities.
On the grounds of the legality of the miners, he reaffirmed that people who mine around areas that are not licensed yet – mined around water bodies and inside river bodies are perpetuating illegality.
The Current Situation and Clashes
Addressing the recent clashes, Mr. Armah expressed shock at the loss of lives and emphasized the need for thorough investigations to ascertain the facts. He emphasized;
“We try to speak to some of them, and they said they went there to mine and get some ore bodies to treat and make some money for their survival.’’
Mr. Godwin Armah General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM)
He pointed out that according to the injured miners, they didn’t go there to cause trouble but to search for their daily bread.
Mr. Armah clarified that the tools typically used by small-scale miners include chisels, hammers, and knives, which are essential for underground mining.
However, the armed forces reported the presence of weapons among the miners, raising questions about the miners’ true intentions. He reiterated;
“When you talk about rudimentary implements for mining, they use chisels, hammers, and knives. The use of guns is something that needs to be verified through investigations.”
Mr. Godwin Armah General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM)
The findings of the investigation would provide clarity and help address the underlying issues.
“Through investigations, we’ll be able to ascertain whether they were using guns or other weapons. It is subject to investigation, and we await the committee’s report to unravel what really happened.”
Mr. Godwin Armah General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM)
The clashes at the AngloGold Ashanti concession underscore the ongoing challenges of illegal mining in Ghana.
Mr. Godwin Armah’s commentary sheds light on the complexities surrounding small-scale mining, the efforts to regulate it, and the need for thorough investigations to ensure justice and accountability.
As Ghana continues to grapple with the issue of illegal mining, the outcomes of the investigations will be pivotal in shaping future policies and interventions.
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