Residents of Ayamfuri in the Central region have clashed with workers of the Perseus Mining Company operating in the community.

The agitating residents want to take over the facility as they accuse the company of throwing them out of business.

They have locked the mines, after attacking the workers and torching equipment of the company including its buses. The workers have also been held hostage as the locals demand the exit of the managers.

“The youth of the community wanted us to give it [company and equipment] to them for them to undertake galamsey – illegal mining,” one of the workers told Starr News’ Abena Owusu Nyamekye on Wednesday.

He added: “We were expecting to dialogue with them, but they invaded the place, apparently there was a national security operation to flush out illegal miners, but they thought our men carried out the operation.”

According to the worker, “violence broke out, they attacked our employees, and burnt our vehicles. We are now in a total lockdown mode.”

Starr News has gathered military personnel are currently guarding the concession.