Give us 40 per cent concession else we will demonstrate against you - Miners to AngloGold Ashanti

The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has dismissed fears of members of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) that the government has banned their activities.

He has, therefore, asked members of the Association to return to work and mine responsibly.

Speaking at a meeting with the Association on Thursday in Kumasi, the Deputy Minister reiterated President Akufo-Addo’s love for mining, adding that “mining supports Ghana’s economy hence, the government has not and will not ban mining in the country.”

Meanwhile, small scale miners associations in Obuasi are worried despite the lift of the ban.

The association on July 4, 2021, embarked on a cleanup exercise in some parts of Obuasi.

The members cautioned their leaders after the exercise to engage Obuasi mining giant AngloGold Ashanti to release its 40 per cent concession to them (small scale miners) else they will hold a naked demonstration in Obuasi.

On July 27 the small scale miners association chairman Obuasi branch, Chairman Kuma among some leaders met the miners to feed them with the information they had after meeting with the authorities of AngloGold Ashanti.

Media engagement with chairman Kuma revealed that the miners were urged to be calm and give them a month, hopefully, their needs may be granted.

Reacting to the leader's suggestions some miners have accused the management of small scale miners at Obuasi of taking a token for TNT as a bribe from AGA whenever they are sent to negotiate with the mining firm on their behalf.

The miners have therefore threatened a serious demonstration against AngloGold Ashanti this coming Friday, July 30, 2021.