Illegal Miners Trapped With One Dead

One person has been confirmed dead, and dozens of other illegal miners trapped in a mining pit belonging to Anglogold Ashanti in Obuasi. According to a report by Luv FM, voices of the trapped miners could be heard filtering out of the Adansi Mine, as rescue workers try to save the situation. Officials of Anglogold have meanwhile retrieved the body of the deceased but are yet to verify the number of trapped miners. It will be the second time in two months for Anglogold Ashanti to attempt a rescue mission for illegal miners trapped in their pits. Only this time the lives of the miners are in real danger. In early August, some trapped miners insisted on remaining in the pit, fearing they would be arrested by authorities of the mining company for daring to prospect on their concessions. Not even a threat by the officials to seal the pit would make them change their minds. They yielded later to calls to surrender. Galamsey miners have engaged in an age-long tussle with mining companies, with the former illegally digging into concessions for precious metals, notwithstanding the obvious threats to their lives. They say the illegal mining is their only source of livelihood.