May 29, several illegal miners found themselves trapped in one of the shafts of the Anglogold Obuasi Mines located in Anwiam, a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This alarming incident has triggered a desperate race against time as rescue operations are underway to save the lives of those trapped underground.
The company, which adheres to strict safety protocols and regulations, does not condone illegal mining activities on its premises. However, due to the lure of potential wealth and the lack of alternative livelihood options, illegal miners often take the risk of entering these mines illegally.
According to the trappers the route they used in entering in search of gold deposits was closed.
The traped miner said “We went to the AngloGold mine to work, but the place was closed down. For four days now, we are just in there. We don’t have any food or water.
“And they do not want to give us water. We are about 300. We went there on our own. The DCE must come to our aid.
“We don’t have any work, that’s why we go there to mine to take care of ourselves and our families,” he said.
As the rescue mission continues, the thoughts and prayers of the nation are with the trapped miners and their families. The urgent need for collaboration between the government, mining companies, and local communities to tackle the issue of illegal mining is now more evident than ever. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in mining operations, whether legal or illegal, must be a top priority to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
