5 workers of large-scale mining company, Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited, have been left with varying degrees of injuries after illegal miners allegedly attacked them underground in the company’s mine area.
The 5 were among security guards called upon to drive away the illegal miners, who were said to have invaded Earl International’s concession in an attempt to steal blasted gold ore.
According to the company, its staff, at 9pm on July 11, 2024, detected the invasion of one of its underground shafts by illegal miners, numbering about 30.
The staff then alerted the security guards, who quickly went underground to flush out the intruders.
But unbeknownst to them, the illegal miners were in possession of weapons which they used to attack the guards, inflicting varying degrees of injury on 5 of them, the company said in a statement.
“The illegal miners, who were apparently armed with harmful weapons, attacked an expatriate and the security guards deployed underground, inflicting varying degrees of injury on five guards,” it said.
“Three of the illegal miners were arrested,”, it disclosed, adding, “This latest incident reflects the daily challenge we face in our operations due to the presence and activities of illegal miners in our concession”.
In March this year, a Regional Security Council’s (REGSEC) sanctioned operation to conceal pits the illegal miners used to encroach the company’s concession was met with resistance, leading to a clash between the miners and security personnel that resulted in some person sustaining injuries and one losing his life.
The company says the illegal miners have become emboldened and have consistently, descended its underground mines to steal ore.
“On the night of Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the diligence of our blast man at the same Shaft 2 averted a potential disaster when approximately 50 people were found hiding underground just before a blast was scheduled to occur”.
It expressed deep concerned about the impact of the alleged activities by the illegal miners on its operations and the risks such activities pose to the miners themselves.
“We are deeply concerned about the high level of risk and recklessness these illegal miners are undertaking and the disruptions they cause to our operations”.
It, therefore, indicated its commitment to continue engagement with stakeholders and regulators to address the troubling situation.
