Mr Eric Asubonteng answering questions at the news conference at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.

Re-post military personnel to Obuasi site - AngloGold Ashanti appeals to govt

Severious Kale-Dery Apr - 14 - 2016 , 12:12

AngloGold Ashanti has appealed to the government to re-assign military personnel to its operational site, Obuasi to clear the area of illegal mining activities and restore law and order.

“AngloGold Ashanti has grave and mounting concern over the situation at the Obuasi Gold Mine, where illegal miners have been looting large quantities of high-grade gold-bearing material for more than two months,” the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr Eric Asubonteng, said.

Addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday on developments at the company’s mining site, Mr Asubonteng pointed out that the illegal miners were not only looting the mineral, “they are causing significant damage to critical infrastructure which serves both the mine and the surrounding communities”.

Armed military personnel deployed to guard the mining area were withdrawn from the site in February this year and are currently guarding only certain limited parts of the infrastructure.

Mining Act (2006), Act 703

The Minerals and Mining Act (2006), Act 703, states that every mineral in its natural state located within the boundaries of Ghana is the bona fide property of Ghanaians vested in the President.

This means that the state has a responsibility to complement the efforts of mining companies to protect the mineral resources.

“The withdrawal of the armed military personnel, therefore, has the potential to scale back the gains made by the government in halting illegal mining,” Mr Asubonteng said.

Incursions of illegal miners

Mr Asubonteng said since the security forces were withdrawn at the beginning of February this year, “incursions by several hundred illegal miners into the site have continued unabated,” adding that even though the company kept authorities informed about the development, “law and order is yet to be restored at Obuasi”.

“Our confidence has been shaken by the failure to protect our rights as significant long-term investors in Ghana,” Mr Asubonteng said.

He said the company had also informed the appropriate authorities about the damage being caused to the mine, the Obuasi community and the long-term prospects of the resource.

“Our hopes were temporarily raised when we learnt that His Excellency the President had directed the return of the highly regarded Ghana Army to the Obuasi mine, Mr Asubonteng said, noting however, that to date, the illegal miners continued to operate with impunity on the richest parts of the mine.

Vandalised installations

Mr Asubonteng expressed fears about what he said would be serious consequences, if the illegal mining activities were allowed to continue.

He cited for example that the electrical installations that supported water treatment plants had been vandalised by the illegal miners.

He said the activities of the illegal miners had affected the company’s ability to treat water and was particularly worried about what would happen when the rains set in.

He said it was crucial that the government worked with the company to deal with threats to the viability of Obuasi.

Writer’s Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh