One dies after clash at North Mara mine
What you need to know:
- According to the statement from mine owners Barrick Gold, one of the intruders was injured during the operation and police transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to the injuries.
Dar es Salaam. One person has reportedly died after security guards and police clashed with people suspected to be “armed intruders” in North Mara Gold Mine, resulting into casualty and injuries.
Barrick Gold who is the main owner of the mine said in a statement that more than 100 “illegal miners” trespassed into the mine, shortly before midnight on November 30, 2022, and started seizing material from stockpile and sabotaging property.
“More than 100 illegal miners, armed with machetes and spears, attempted to scale North Mara Gold Mine’s three-metre-high perimeter wall,” the company stated, adding that approximately 70 trespassers made their way onto the mine’s premises.
“The unarmed private security contractors attempted to prevent the intrusion but were attacked and overpowered by the armed trespassers,” it said.
“The mine then asked the police to enter the site to remove the intruders which they did over a period of approximately one and half hours.”
According to the statement, one of the intruders was injured during the operation and police transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to the injuries.
According to the press release, two police officers were also injured during the incident.
“The nature of the deceased’s injury and the cause of his death have not yet been established, however an investigation of the incident will be requested from the authorities by North Mara,” the statement concluded.
However, the police commander of Tarime/Rorya Special Zone, Godfrey Sarakikya said only one police officer was injured, as he confirmed casualties.
“The injured police officer is faring well and he has been discharged already,” Mr Sarakikya told The Citizen. He said the police were going on with the efforts to search for the intruders so that they could face the full wrath of the law.
Last week, a group of Tanzanian villagers filed a suit in Canada against Barrick Gold over alleged police killings, torture and other abuses at North Mara.
The company said the case had inaccuracies, denying having control over the actions of the police who were accused in the complaints.
