AngloGold evacuates employees to safety at Obuasi Gold Mine
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited has withdrawn all employees performing non-essential functions from its Obuasi Gold Mine in the interest of safety.
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The decision follows the incursion of the fenced operational areas of the site since February 5, 2016 by hundreds of illegal miners.
A statement issued by the company, explained that the employees remaining on site were performing critical tasks including underground pumping and ventilation, water treatment, provision of medical services and maintenance of electrical facilities that provided power and water to employee homes and surrounding communities.
Withdrawal of military
“This latest invasion of the site is as a result of the withdrawal of government military protection from the mine on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 after an initial incursion on January 30 and 31, 2016,” the statement said.
It said no reasons for the military’s withdrawal were given and – “to AngloGold Ashanti’s knowledge – no other mine sites in Ghana with a military presence have been affected.”
The statement said it was important to point out that the Ghana Army had a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Chamber of Mines, on behalf of its members, to provide military personnel for deployment at their mining operations.
It said the company had noted the conflicting reports about the events at Obuasi mine, including the circumstances leading to the tragic death of the company’s employee, Mr John Owusu.
Attacks and security concerns
“John was fatally injured in a car accident as he and colleagues tried to flee after a large group of illegal miners hurled rocks and other projectiles at mine employees, police and security personnel observing their activities. This attack was entirely unprovoked,” the statement said.
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It said AngloGold Ashanti Ghana could not reasonably be expected to prevent or control a situation such as that at the Obuasi mine.
The statement said the company had established a significant security system for the mine, including a 21-km security fence around the operational area, as well as the deployment of a large security force of almost 400 personnel due to the size and spread of the operation.
“The company’s security forces do not carry lethal weapons, which is in accordance with Ghanaian law. The company’s security forces also operate under the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights.
“The onus for ensuring safety and security of individuals and property in any country, and, therefore, restoring safety and security to the site lies with the authorities.
“AngloGold Ashanti Ghana has made appeals to the government representatives for the reinstatement of the previous security arrangements, as without them, the company’s employees and assets have been left vulnerable to attacks from illegal miners who ultimately do not respect other forms of protection,” the statement explained.
It said the company appreciated that the mineral wealth of the country was a national asset for the benefit of all Ghanaians, “however, the company is the formal holder of permits governing the regulated development of the Obuasi mine”.
The statement said the latest invasion of the site undermined that right provided under the law and jeopardised the safety of employees and the future of this asset.
Commitment of AngloGold
It said the company committed itself since 2014 to following due legal process in returning as much as 60 per cent of the Obuasi mining concession area to the government, stressing that it was working with the relevant delegated authorities in that regard, and the process was now awaiting completion.
“Thereafter, the government would be at liberty to utilise the land as it saw fit.
“It is crucial that the Ghanaian government, as well as local and regional authorities, work with AngloGold Ashanti to resolve threats to the viability of the Obuasi Gold Mine and its ongoing contribution to the Ghanaian economy. The immediate priority should be to ensure safety and security of the mine employees and the mine,” the statement concluded.