Management of Iduapriem Mine denies ‘burial’ of six people in a pit

The management of AngloGold Ashanti, Iduapriem Limited (AAIL) has denied 'burying' six small-scale miners in a pit on its concession.

Mr Kwamena Sekyi-Yorke, Head of Community Relations and Public Affairs of the company conducting newsmen at the site said “the pit is not covered let alone bury people alive in it.”

He said about three weeks ago the management held a meeting with some small-scale miners on their activities, which could lead to the destruction of a rehabilitated 30,000-dollar main road leading to Teberebe community and the mine.

Mr Sekyi-Yorke said they agreed to stop their activities and leave within two weeks that ended on Thursday, March 25 but when Captain James Appiah (rtd) Assets Protection Manager led his team to the site to cover the pit, they were informed some people were operating in the pit and that led to a confrontation.

He said the team left therefore “ I am surprised to hear some people have been buried alive by the company's team.”

Nana Kwame, a small-scale miner told newsmen that six of their colleagues had gone underground and mentioned Yeboah and Baba as being among them.

However, Mr Joseph Ameyaw, Bankyim Unit Committee Chairman when contacted said “he was not aware of the incident”.

GNA