Statement: Ashanti Regional Minister Assured AngloGold Ashanti Of Restoration Of Law And Order

John Alexander Kobina Ackon

Accra, 13 May 2016 – AngloGold Ashanti Ghana has received assurances from the Honourable Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. John Alexander Kobina Ackon, that there will be restoration of law and order over the coming week.

“The Minister’s pledge is encouraging, but we await clear evidence of the restoration of law and order, as well as a safe environment on the site,” Obuasi Mine General Manager Eric Asubonteng said. “Only once we’re assured that we have sole use of the site, can we commence the process of assessing the damage done.”

Several hundred illegal miners invaded the concession in early February and since then have ransacked the site, pillaging gold-bearing ore and damaging infrastructure. Employees performing non-essential services were immediately withdrawn. The continuing illegal occupation jeopardises the mine’s viability and has compromised the rights of those in the community, and investors in Ghana.

AngloGold Ashanti Ghana has held numerous engagements at all levels of Government since the site was occupied. Despite these interactions, and a directive in March from His Excellency the President of Ghana that security agencies return to site, law and order is yet to be restored.

AngloGold Ashanti Ghana calls on the Regional Minister to make good his commitment so the company can once again obtain safe access to the concession.

For further background on Obuasi, please see www.futureofobuasi.com