The number of illegal miners who were among the several others trapped in the AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s Obuasi Mine shaft but have been arrested after exiting has moved from seven to forty-eight.
Earlier the mining company announced in a statement that seven were in the custody of the Ghana Police Service.
The company explained that unauthorized persons underground are able to exit on foot, via the existing ramp, through the main access of this mining area. No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open.
Obuasi Gold Mine’s management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them, a statement they issued said.
“Yesterday, seven illegal miners exited through this main access point on foot and are in the custody of the Ghana Police Service. Any unauthorized person underground is encouraged to leave the mine at any time by the exit points where public security personnel remain on standby.
“Intrusion of illegal miners into underground areas remains a significantly dangerous activity and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana is working alongside authorities to ensure that only authorized mine personnel and contractors can access underground work areas.
“The safety and security of our employees and community members remain our top priority
and AngloGold Ashanti Ghana stands ready to provide any assistance required by the
authorities in ensuring the safe exit of any unauthorized persons underground,” a statement issued said.