Calm has been restored at Golden Star Wassa Limited (GSWL), after armed group of illegal miners, popularly known as galamseyers, invaded the company and vandalised properties at Benso, in Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of Western Region, on Thursday.
The incident, which claimed one life, caused injuries to four persons, but the police has restored order and beefed up security at the mine site.
The Ghanaian Times last Thursday, gathered that the Western Regional Police Command arrested 33 suspects as part of investigations, to unravel the cause of violence at the GSWL mine.
The police have invited opinion leaders of Benso, the Vice President and Managing Director, Golden Star Resources, as part of efforts to maintain peace within the community.
Group Corporate Affairs Manager of GSWL, Gerard Boakye, confirmed to Ghanaian Times that, the armed men set fire to the administrative block and vehicles, including one tractor, tipper truck and an ambulance that serves the community and employees.
He explained the attack followed a peaceful engagement and exercise by security personnel of GSWL to evict illegal miners, who had encroached GSWL’s mining pits at Benso.
The illegal miners, MrBoakye recalled, left the area after initial arraignments, “only to remobilised and come back to clash with security personnel of GSWL.”
MrBoakyesaid, GSWL employees at the scene were immediately evacuated to safety, and those injured were given medical attention and discharged.
He said, a formal complaint has been made to the police adding “updates will be provided as investigations continue.”
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI
