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The company that runs the Asanko Gold Mine in the Ashanti Region, Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd., has strongly condemned the recent deaths of a civilian and contracted security personnel at the hands of unauthorized miners in Tontokrom.
In a statement, the business urged swift inquiries to identify and detain the offenders. On March 2, 2024, while State Security personnel were conducting routine patrols, including at Asanko’s Tontokrom concession, an incident took place.
Even though there were no illegal miners present when the patrol took place, they ambushed and attacked the Asanko-deployed security officers, killing two of them and one civilian.
Asanko emphasized that harassment of its employees and contractors is a result of illegal mining encroaching on its concessions.
In order to maintain safety for workers, subcontractors, and community members and to assure justice, the company demanded that security agencies conduct a comprehensive investigation.
“It is important to note that for years now, it has always been the case that illegal miners, who are not residents at Tontokrom, have been encroaching on Asanko’s legally held concessions. It has also been the case that these illegal miners have been harassing both the staff of Asanko and its contractors” portion of the statement reads.
“The activities of these illegal miners are erasing all the efforts that the government and its officers are putting in to make Ghana the premier mining investment destination in the world.
Asanko remains committed to the safety of our employees, contractors and community members, and urges the security agencies in the country to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book” the statement added.
Read the full statement below:
Asanko condemns the murder of its contracted security personnel and a civilian at Tontokrom.
ASANKO GOLD MINE – 4TH MARCH 2024: Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd (Asanko) operators of the Asanko Gold Mine in the Ashanti Region condemns the murder of its contracted security personnel and a civilian by illegal miners at Tontokrom and calls for swift investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.
On Saturday, 2nd March, 2024, the State Security Personnel conducted its periodic patrols within the mining communities in the Ashanti Region. As part of the patrol, officers of the State Security visited the Tontokrom Concession belonging to Asanko.
To the surprise of everyone, the illegal miners did not come out to carry out their illegal mining activities that day.
To secure the Tontokrom Concession, Asanko then deployed its licensed contractor private security service provider to patrol the area. While the officials of the licensed private security service provider were patrolling the Tontokrom Concession, they were attacked by the illegal miners who were hiding in the bushes.
Upon seeing the illegal miners emerging from the bushes with various guns, club, machetes and other weapons, the security officers chose to retreat since they were unarmed.
Unfortunately, two (2) of the private security officers were captured and lynched to death by these illegal miners.
Asanko was also informed that a civilian was also lynched to death by these criminals. In all, three (3) persons are dead.
It is important to note that for years now, it has always been the case that illegal miners, who are not residents at Tontokrom, have been encroaching on Asanko’s legally held concessions. It has also been the case that these illegal miners have been harassing both the staff of Asanko and its contractors.
The activities of these illegal miners are erasing all the efforts that the government and its officers are putting in to make Ghana the premier mining investment destination in the world.
Asanko remains committed to the safety of our employees, contractors and community members, and urges the security agencies in the country to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
