Mining site: Obuasi small-scale miners issue one-week ultimatum

The Artisanal Small-Scale Miners Association in Obuasi is demanding immediate action from the government, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Obuasi Mine, and the National Chief Imam to secure an approved mining site for its members within one week.

The Association says it will be compelled to “advise ourselves” if authorities fail to respond within the stated timeframe.
The ultimatum follows the January 18, 2025 incident in which nine residents were killed after military officers guarding the AGA concession allegedly opened fire on members of the community.

Speaking to journalists in Obuasi, the Association’s Secretary, Eugene Annan, said the group remains frustrated by the absence of progress months after the tragedy.

He referenced the National Chief Imam’s earlier intervention. “The National Chief Imam, His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, came to Obuasi to console the families and promised to speak to AGA to resolve the issue. AGA promised to give a concession to a small-scale miners association to work, but up to now, we have not heard anything from them,” he said.

Mr. Annan also raised concerns about what he described as continued intimidation by security personnel around the concession. “It is in the era of the current sustainability manager of AngloGold Ashanti, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, that military men are allowed to fire gunshots unnecessarily in our community,” he claimed.

He stated that the Association has not received any clear communication from AGA on when a concession will be allocated.

“Our problem is that AGA has not given us a place to work, and our chairman says there has been no communication from them. So there is no place for small-scale miners to operate in Obuasi.”

He appealed to authorities to intervene immediately.

“We are pleading with the government and stakeholders in Obuasi and Ananom. We are giving AGA a one-week ultimatum to come out with a comprehensive dialogue on when and where we can get a place to work. Otherwise, we will advise ourselves,” he stressed.