Missing miner: Anglogold Ashanti suspends mining

AngloGold Ashanti has suspended mining activity at its Obuasi Gold Mine in Ghana with immediate effect as it intensifies the search for a missing miner.

The miner, who is an employee of a mining contractor that works with AngloGold went missing after a fall of ground in one of the operation’s mining stopes in Obuasi.

AngloGold in a news release dated May 20, 2021, said rescue teams began the search for the miner after the incident occurred on Tuesday morning.

"The mine rescue teams have been working tirelessly, in difficult geotechnical conditions in the immediate area, to locate our missing colleague. The relevant authorities have been notified and are providing support during this time," the release said.

"Safety remains our highest priority and all mining activity has been suspended. An update on the situation will be provided in due course".

Obuasi Gold Mine

The Obuasi Mine was placed on care and maintenance from 2016 due to profitability issues with only a security force on duty.

Following the decision to redevelop the mine in 2018, the redevelopment project began early in 2019. The first gold was poured in December 2019.

It is one of the top-9 largest gold mines on Earth.