Six workers killed in accident at Newmont Mining’s project in Ghana

Six miners have been killed following the collapse of the roof of a tunnel at Newmont Mining’s Ahafo Mill Expansion (AME) project in Ghana.

The accident occurred as an eight-person contractor crew was working inside the reclaim tunnel of the project.

Two of the eight workers also suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident, Newmont Mining noted.

Emergency response teams were rushed to the site following the accident.

The company stated that it is cooperating with the investigation agencies that are currently looking into the situation.

Newmont Mining president and CEO Gary Goldberg said: “On behalf of the entire Newmont family I would like to express our deepest sorrow and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of the victims.

“Our priorities right now are to support the families of those who lost loved ones in this terrible accident, and to cooperate with authorities to investigate its causes.”

The company has now terminated both its operations at the Ahafo mine and the mill expansion project, which are to be resumed only after the necessary conditions are in place to ensure the safety of workers at the site.

The mine is located in the Brong Ahafo region along the Sefwi Volcanic Belt in western Ghana.

It had a production rate of 349,000 ounces (oz) of gold per year as of December 2017.

The mine first commenced production in 2006 and currently features around 2,500 employees and contractors.