Government Delegation To Examine Illegal Mining At Obuasi

This follows an engagement between AngloGold Ashanti CEO Mr Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan, and the Ghanaian Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and other high ranking government official

AngloGold Ashanti Ghana remains deeply concerned about the prevailing conditions, with illegal miners continuing to enter the site.
In a press release issued and copied to New Ghana, AngloGold indicated that if the illegal mining
business is allowed to
continue unchecked, illegal mining taking place on parts of the concession, and vandalism of property, could threaten the long-term viability of the mine and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s ability to continue its feasibility study and maintain critical services, which serve both the operations and surrounding communities.
‘AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s aim is to prove the viability of a project to turn Obuasi Gold Mine into a long-life, modern, world-class mining operation that will provide foreign investment, high-quality direct and indirect employment, taxes and foreign exchange revenue to Ghana.”
The release said, the company has invested significant resources into this project in recent years and that it is crucial that the Government of Ghana work with the company to resolve the current illegal occupation of the site by Galamsey, which not only poses a direct threat to the safety of employees, their families and other community members”
“It also threatens the viability of Obuasi, and jeopardises its long-term contribution to Ghana’s economy. The immediate priority should be to re-establish law and order.”
AngloGold Ashanti Ghana said, it will continue to urge authorities at a national and local level to assist in upholding the law and returning safety and security to the site before further injuries or further loss of life occur.

“Unless we have certainty that our employees are able to work in a safe environment, we will have no choice but to progressively withdraw personnel from the mine until the situation normalises.’