Obuasi Clash: Soldiers Returned Fire in Self-Defense After Illegal Miners Launched Attack – GAF

A violent clash between illegal miners and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at the AngloGold Ashanti Mines in Obuasi has left seven miners dead and one injured.

The confrontation took place late on Saturday, January 18, 2025, when about 60 illegal miners attempted to breach the mine’s security fence and access the Deep Decline area.

The miners, armed with locally made firearms and tools, opened fire on the soldiers when confronted. In response, the military personnel returned fire, resulting in fatalities and leaving one miner seriously injured. The remaining miners fled the scene.

A soldier was also injured in the exchange but has been treated. The GAF recovered six pump-action BB cartridges from the site.

Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the Director General of Public Relations, urged illegal miners to avoid dangerous confrontations and respect mining boundaries to prevent further loss of life.

“The troops returned fire in self-defence. The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners and one seriously injured. The remaining illegal miners bolted away. A soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated. Six pump action BB cartridges were retrieved.

“The Ghana Armed Forces(GAF) wishes to reiterate its caution to all and sundry that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life. GAF wishes to urge all illegal miners to stay away from mining concessions and also desist from engaging troops in shootouts since the consequences of such actions could be fatal,” parts of the GAF statement read

The GAF continues its Operation HALT II initiative to combat illegal mining and secure the safety of mining concessions in the region.