The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Chief of Army Staff paid a working visit at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi mine.
The goal of the tour was for Major-General Oppong-Peprah to become acquainted with mine operations and mining security challenges.
He arrived with a team of high-ranking military officers and was greeted by Eric Asubonteng, Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited, and his leadership team.
Mr Asubonteng expressed his gratitude in his welcome remarks for the vital contribution made in combating unlawful mining at the Obuasi mine.
“The increasing aggression of armed illegal miners is a major challenge for the Obuasi mine. As such, we appreciate the support of the government of Ghana in ensuring the safety and security of our employees, host communities and assets,” Mr Asubonteng stated.
Major-General Oppong-Peprah thanked and appreciated the Obuasi mine for its years of assistance and cooperation.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s Public Security Agencies’ ongoing commitment to defending the Obuasi mine from security concerns, stressing extensive discussions to construct a Forward Operating Base in Obuasi to help maintain peace and order.
The Forward Operating Base is intended to aid in the fight against illegal mining and related criminal activities.
Illegal mining and associated activities present safety risks to illegal miners, socio-economic and environmental risks to the company’s host communities, as well as a significant threat to AngloGold Ashanti’s operations at the Obuasi mine.
The Chief of Army Staff and his team were given a tour of the mine’s operations and illegal mining hotspots within the concession.
In response to a request by the mine for enhanced support to protect its concessions, four new military vehicles were unveiled to strengthen patrol effectiveness within the mine’s operational areas.