ACCRA, Jan 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - At least eight illegal miners were killed 
in Ghana overnight after clashes with soldiers guarding the AngloGold Ashanti 
mining site in central Obuasi, the army said Sunday.

Around 60 miners, armed with rifles, machetes and pump-action guns had forced 
their way past the security fence at the mine late Saturday night, said an 
army statement.

They opened fire when an army patrol intercepted them, "prompting the 
soldiers to retaliate in self-defence", the statement added.

"The shootout resulted in the death of seven miners on the spot, while 
another who sustained critical injuries died later at the hospital."

One soldier was treated after being hit by pellets from a gun.

During the clashes, four vehicles belonging to the mining company were set on 
fire, the army statement added.

A statement from the office of Ghana's President John Mahama said he had 
ordered an investigation "to determine the circumstances surrounding the 
clashes and ensure that any individuals found to have acted unlawfully are 
brought to justice".

Mahama also ordered AngloGold Ashanti to cover the medical expenses of the 
wounded and to "facilitate burial arrangements for the deceased".

An AngloGold Ashanti internal security document seen by AFP bans company 
vehicles from venturing into the town of Obuasi, advising staff to avoid 
wearing company uniforms there for security reasons.

Ghana, Africa's leading gold producer, has long been plagued by conflicts 
between the military and youth in mining communities.

Unemployment and economic challenges often exacerbate tensions, with 
residents frequently accusing authorities and companies of neglecting their 
welfare.

Security agencies have been deployed to restore calm in Obuasi -- one of the 
oldest gold mining towns in the world -- and implement measures to prevent 
similar incidents.