In a Ghanaian gold mine collapse killed six and injured two on Saturday.
The mining site was operated by US-based Newmont in Ghana’s southern region.
Agbeko Azumah the company’s spokesperson said “I can confirm six fatalities to you. Two others were treated at the clinic and discharged after the tragedy on Saturday.”
The incident happened 430 kilometres from Accra the capital in the Brong Ahafo region.
Alwyn Pretorius, the company’s vice president in Africa in a statement said “The entire Newmont family is devastated by this tragic accident and our priority is to provide support to the families, friends and co-workers of the deceased,”, said in a statement.
The company has evacuated other workers at the site and suspended operations to allow for an investigation.
“All other employees working in the area have been safely relocated and the scene of the accident has been secured,” Pretorius said.
“The police are on-site and the appropriate government and regulatory agencies have been notified, including the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission.”
The accident was blamed on small-scale gold mining, known in Ghana as “galamsey”, which has recently been the target of a government crackdown on environmental grounds.
Ghana is Africa’s second-largest gold producer and exports of the yellow metal, along with other minerals and oil, drive the country’s economy.
Newmont, a US-owned mining company, is one of the world’s largest gold producers.
Saturday’s accident is the latest in the oil and gold-rich country.
In 2010, at least 45 people were killed when an illegal mine collapsed after heavy rains.
Also In July last year, at least 22 people were killed after an illegal gold mine collapsed in western Ghana.