AngloGold Ashanti faces imminent collapse due to illegal mining, says pressure group

The government is being urged to put a stop to the illegal miners’ operations on AngloGold Ashanti’s concession.

Local contractors and other stakeholders joined the pressure group, Appiani, and Bonsech club to add their voices to the worrying situation.

The Anglo-Gold Ashanti mine in Obuasi, which had been effectively closed since 2014, was reopened by President Akufo-Addo in April 2019. It was in fulfilment of a promise he made during the 2016 campaign to the residents of Obuasi.

Local contractors, some of whom are employed by AngloGold Ashanti, claim the situation may have an impact on Obuasi’s economy.

According to one of the local contractors, the organisation organised this march to inform the Obuasi neighborhood and Adansi at large that “we should all make sure that we protect the mine from these illegal miners.”

Another who gave his name as Solomon Amoako Acheampong also said: “This has happened to us before and we don’t want it to occur again. Activities of intruders on the mining concession threaten the survival of the company. But we believe that this message will trigger an intervention.”

The leaders of Appiani and Bonsech FunClub, which is leading this campaign addressed the media after they led a peaceful procession on Sunday, August 21.

“We can state without modicum of doubt that these illegal miners find their way through unapproved routes into the operational areas of AngloGold Ashanti to from time to time. This is a disturbing development that might lead to the collapse of the mine if not immediately resolved. It is worthy to note that this was one of the principal factors that led to the collapse of the mine in 2014”, said Secretary of the Group Anthony Coffie.

“We will in the coming days petition the President, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and all other stakeholders who matter in these concerns”, he indicated.

Source: ghextractives.com