Violent clashes between illegal miners and private security at Asanko Mines in Manso Tontokrom, Ashanti Region, have resulted in three confirmed deaths.

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The clash followed an invasion of the Asanko Mines concession, allegedly supported by Tontokrom traditional leaders.

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On March 1, 2024, community members protested Asanko Mines' refusal to release part of its legal concession for small-scale mining, accusing the mining firm of intimidation through armed law enforcement.

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Adu Gyamfi Kumanin, a chief in Tontokrom, urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to compel the mining firm to release the concession for community mining to address unemployment.

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The traditional leader threatened potential violence if Asanko Mines persisted in using armed personnel to intimidate them. A day after the protest, clashes occurred between private security and illegal miners, resulting in one alleged fatality.

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In a reprisal attack, illegal miners lynched two Asanko Mines private security personnel.

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Amansie South District Chief Executive Opoku Gyemfi confirmed the deaths and expressed efforts to restore calm.

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Asanko Mines' Environment and Sustainability Manager, Eric Darko, verified the lynching of private security personnel, noting the incident happened days after military and police intervention to reclaim the invaded concession.

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