Three miners have been confirmed dead after an abandoned mining pit caved in at Manso Takorase in the Amansei South District of the Ashanti Region, reigniting public concern over unsafe mining practices in the area.
The incident, which occurred on October 1, 2025, involved six miners who were reportedly working in an old pit when the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping all of them underground.
According to Mr. Bonsu Dominic, Assembly Member for the Manso Takorase Electoral Area, rescue teams managed to retrieve three survivors, while the remaining three were found dead. The bodies have since been deposited at the St. Martin’s Catholic Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
“This tragedy has left the entire community in shock,” Mr. Dominic said. “We have repeatedly warned against unsafe mining in abandoned pits, but many continue to take the risk due to unemployment and the lure of quick money.”
The Amansei enclave, known for its extensive small-scale mining activities, has witnessed several similar incidents in recent years, raising fears about poor safety compliance and the lack of proper regulatory oversight.
Local authorities and the police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse, while community leaders are urging government agencies and mining regulators to intensify monitoring and enforce safety laws.
The latest accident follows another deadly pit collapse at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District, where seven people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries, further highlighting the recurring dangers associated with illegal and unsafe mining practices across the Ashanti Region.
Residents have since renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, continuous public education on safety, and the reclamation of abandoned mining sites to prevent future loss of lives.
