One person was shot dead by guards after a group of people invaded North Mara Gold Mine, owned by the London-listed African Barrick Gold in northern Tanzania, police said Tuesday.
“The group invaded the (ABG) mine on Monday. The victim was identified as Joseph Mwikwabe, 20,” police commander of the area Justus Kamugisha said in a telephone interview when reached in Tarime.
He added: “About 30 people invaded Gokona pit of the North Mara Mine to scoop sand believed to have some gold,” he said.
“We are still holding a security guard for questioning in connection with the incident”, the officer said.
There have been regular fatal clashes between villagers, small miners in the area and the mine's guards, sometimes supported by police.
ABG is Tanzania's largest gold producer and one of the five largest gold producers in Africa. - Sapa-AFP