Regional Minister of Ashanti, Simon Osei Mensah says a probe has been launched into the circumstances that led to the shooting and killing of an alleged illegal small-scale miner (galamseyer) at Anyimadukrom in the Obuasi municipality by the anti-galamsey taskforce in the area.

In the interim, the Minister has called on the residents to remain calm, and go about their normal business as the investigations continue to unravel the cause of the man's death.

The deceased was shot and killed by the taskforce inaugurated by the government to fight illegal mining activities.

But speaking to the host of Kumasi Morning Show, Nana Kwadwo Jantuah on Kumasi104.1 FM on Tuesday, 9 August 2017, Mr Osei Mensah said: "What we are pleading with the community is that everybody should remain calm since there will be no disturbances".

He consoled the family of the deceased and assured the residents of the protection of the military.

Mr Osei Mensah said the probe will ascertain whether or not the residents fired at the taskforce personnel and also if the bullet that killed the deceased was a shot fired by his colleagues or by the Vanguards.

He, therefore, called on both galamseyers and small-scale miners to abide by the directive of president Akufo-Addo on mining activities in the country.