The management of Asanko Gold Ghana Limited, the company that runs the Asanko Gold Mine in the Ashanti Region, has denounced the illegal miners’ Saturday afternoon killing of two of its security guards and a civilian in Tontokrom after a fight with some irate locals.
According to a press release from the company, the illegal miners who were hiding in the bushes attacked the private security company officers as they were patrolling the Tontokrom concession.
Since the illegal miners were unarmed, the security guards decided to flee when they saw them emerge from the bushes brandishing a variety of weapons, including clubs, machetes, and pistols. Regretfully, these illegal miners captured and killed two (2) of the private security guards.
“It is important to note that for years now, illegal miners who are not residents at Tontokrom have been encroaching on Asanko’s legally held concessions,” states Asanko Mine. Additionally, it has been reported that these unauthorized miners have been intimidating Asanko employees and contractors.
The corporation also emphasized how the actions of illegal miners are undoing the government’s and its officials’ attempts to establish Ghana as the world’s top mining investment destination.
As such, they are demanding that the situation be looked into. Asanko Mines also promised future complete security protection to its workers, subcontractors, and community residents.
