The Ghana Chamber of Mines has sharply criticised the one week ultimatum issued by the Artisanal Small Scale Miners Association in Obuasi to the Government and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana AGAG warning that such threats endanger public order and undermine the rule of law.
In the Association’s ultimatum members threatened to “advise themselves” if their concerns were not addressed, but the Chamber says this posture is unacceptable and poses a risk to the stability of the Obuasi municipality and the mining sector at large.
In a strongly worded statement, the Chamber said, “Any threat to advise themselves outside of established legal frameworks is a threat to the peace and stability of the mining industry and the Obuasi municipality.” It urged all aggrieved parties to follow due process.
The Chamber addressed concerns regarding recent security operations in the area following a tragic incident on January 18. It expressed sympathy for affected families but insisted that accusations against the mining company were inaccurate.
The statement clarified, “The military personnel deployed to the Obuasi Mine are State security officials operating under the mandate of the National Security Council. They are not private security agents acting on the directions of AngloGold Ashanti.”
According to the Chamber the objective of the deployment is to protect a strategic national asset and enforce the Minerals and Mining Act which mandates the State to prevent unlawful incursions into active mining zones.
It added, “The narrative that mine management is unilaterally directing security operations against citizens is factually incorrect and misrepresents the role of the State.”
Responding to claims that AngloGold Ashanti has refused to release land to small scale miners, the Chamber described the allegation as false and misleading.
It noted that AGAG has already surrendered a significant portion of its concession to the Government of Ghana to support regulated community mining. The statement explained, “Records confirm that AngloGold Ashanti has voluntarily relinquished approximately sixty percent of its original concession area. This unprecedented release was intended to facilitate community development and provide areas for responsible small scale mining.”
However unauthorized incursions into restricted operational areas continue. The Chamber stressed that such activities are unlawful and dangerous, warning that “continued unauthorised entry into fenced active operational zones undermines the orderly development of the community mining sector.”
The Chamber appealed to artisanal miners to use the Joint Working Group and other official dialogue platforms rather than resorting to public threats. “The leadership of ASSMA should utilize existing structures for constructive dialogue rather than resorting to threats,” the statement added.
The media was also advised to verify claims before publication to avoid escalation of tensions.
The Chamber concluded by reaffirming its support for AngloGold Ashanti stating that “responsible mining can only thrive in an environment of law and order.”
