Management of Asanko Gold Ghana limited based in Manso Nkran in the Amensie District of the Ashanti region have confirmed the death of a police officer assigned to the large scale Gold mining firm to protect the mines operational concession which has been invaded by illegal miners threatening the mines safety.
The unfortunate incident according to management of the giant mining firm occurred on 4th April 2023 while the deceased police officer was chasing after an illegal miner and unfortunately fell into a pond of about 2.5m deep which had been dug by the illegal miners in ‘Galamsayers’ operation.
Speaking to EIB’s Ashanti regional Correspondent Isaac Justice Bediako, managing director of Asanko Gold Ghana limited Dr. Charles Amoah, denied earlier media publication that said the police officer died in the mine’s abandoned pit covered with stagnant water.
“The deceased officer died in a pit dug by illegal miners who invaded the Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd concession and left many uncovered pits. A team of Police officers were on lawful duty and in the process of stopping a group of illegal miners from digging underneath a section of the haul road (just after a contractor’s Laydown area, Chainage 1+500km) which had been backfilled a few days ago’’.
Dr. Amoah further explained that the deceased officer was chasing after an illegal miner and unfortunately fell into a pond about 2.5m deep which had been dug by the illegal miners.
“The deceased officer’s colleagues managed to rescue him after 5-10 minutes and attempted CPR since he was unresponsive. After several attempts, they rushed him to the clinic where resuscitation continued but he was later pronounced dead’’.
He disclosed, following the incident, Asanko Gold Ghana Limited has initiated the following actions plan which includes:
- Activated its emergency response system.
- Informed the relevant regulatory bodies, Minerals Commission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and District Police Command about the incident.
- They evacuated the casualty to a morgue at the Agroyesum Hospital in Manso Adubia.
- Halted all Patrol duties.
Dr. Charles Amoah reaffirmed Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd’s commitment to promoting environmentally and socially responsible mining in Ghana.
He added, Asanko mines have always worked in accordance with the Minerals Commission regulations, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and District Police Command to ensure the safety of all persons on its concessions.
“The Ghana Chamber of Mines reiterates its call for urgent action to be taken on the growing concern about the activities of illegal miners in bonafide concessions of large-scale mining firms in the country under the guise of community mining. The activities of these illegal miners pose a serious risk to the mining companies, community members, and the country at large. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the bereaved family and the Ghana Police Service”, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Sulemanu Koney.
