Galamsey pit collapse kills six, four rescued 

Six illegal miners (galamseyers) have been confirmed dead following a mining pit collapse at an illegal mining site at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

Four illegal miners have been rescued alive following the mining pit collapse.

According to the galamseyers, two of their colleagues are still trapped in the mining pit.

Reports suggest the incident happened on Wednesday night, trapping several miners underground.

The rescue effort was led by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and some local volunteers.

The four pulled alive have been rushed to the hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased have been sent to the morgue.

Also, the Assembly Member for the Kasotie Electoral Area, Samuel Ayine, has confirmed the incident.

In addition, three  illegal miners have been reported dead after a galamsey pit collapse at Twifo Mampong in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region on Thursday.

Reports suggest the victims were part of a group of five who entered the pit secretly.

At around 1 am, the walls of the mine collapsed, trapping the galamseyers in the pit.

The Twifo Praso District Police Command, the DCE Isaac Tawson, NADMO, and the Ghana National Fire Service were able to retrieve three bodies from the pit after four hours of rescue work.

The fourth body is yet to be retrieved; however, the fifth person operating a pumping machine outside the pit escaped the pit collapse.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has invited Civil Society Organisations to a high-level engagement on illegal mining.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday, 3rd October, 2025, at 12:00 noon at Jubilee House.

The dialogue is expected to bring together government officials and civil society leaders to find a lasting solution to the menace of illegal mining.

In a letter issued by Dr Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, it indicates the dialogue will serve as a platform for frank and constructive discussions on illegal mining.

The letter stated, “This engagement aims to provide a platform for frank and constructive dialogue between the Government and civil society on the menace of illegal mining, with a view to harnessing collective expertise, perspectives, and solutions to address this national challenge”.

President Mahama’s invitation comes at a time when his government have been receiving backlash over their failure to properly deal with illegal mining.