Government is currently engaging and employing all legitimate tactics to flush out illegal miners occupying AngloGold Obuasi mine, The Minerals Commission has disclosed.
According to the commission, government and its allied agencies were only weighing all options available to it to ensure that life and properties are protected during the process.
Speaking to Citi Business News Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission Dr. Toni Aubynn said government was committed to moving the illegal miners from the site.
“I have myself gone down there to talk to some of the operators. Government will do all it can to address this challenge. Which government would want to lose the Obuase mine or which government would want to lose investments,” he said.
He stated that “at the same time government would also find a way to protect its citizens. They may have gone there forcibly but you can’t use force to bring them out”.
He assured that the commission would employ measures that will bring an amicable solution to the issue.
“Though those who are there are gaining which is not fair but government would not adopt means that are not appropriate but am sure this will happen by flashing out the illegal miners occupying the mine.”
The assurance comes at a time that AngloGold Ashanti Ghana has formally asked the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID) to compel the Government of Ghana to use its authority to return peace and stability to mine.
The process, known formally as a Request for Provisional Measures, Citi Business News understands is available to applicants seeking urgent relief in an ongoing dispute.
AngloGold Ashanti announced on June 22, 2016 that it is petitioning the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID) to compel Ghana to end the continues stay of illegal miners on its Obuasi concession.
Justifying the company’s latest move in an interview with Citi Business News, the General Manager and Managing Director of the Obuasi Mine, Eric Asubonteng stated that the continuous stay of the illegal miners is a threat to the future of the Obuasi mine.
He bemoaned the lack of urgency in solving the problem, pointing out that several approaches adopted have been ignored.
Illegal miners invade AA mine
In February this year, hundreds of illegal miners invaded the fenced area of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obausi mine which led to the death of a senior management staff, John Owusu.
At the time, Mr. Asubonteng stated that, with each passing day that law and order is not restored the company’s orebody gets damaged.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
