(Ecofin Agency) - Operation at AngloGold Ashanti’s gold mine in Guinea were disrupted by two days of violent power cut protests at Siguiri. Over a thousand protesters surrounded the mine yesterday June 27.

“We are negotiating with them to calm the situation,” Ibrahima Kalil Keita, the region's state administrator, told Reuters.

Currently, Guinea is going through a rolling blackout period that fuels popular discontent. Last June 24, population protested saying they were not able to watch World Cup games.

“Some young people barricaded the road between Bouré and Siguiri demanding electricity. They clashed with the police. The police opened fire after some protesters tried to break the gates of the (AngloGold’s) mine and attack the facilities. I saw at least 10 people who were wounded by gunshot at the Siguiri hospital,” resident Moussa Conde told Reuters.

The Prime Minister's speech on general policy yesterday was also interrupted due to a power cut which forced representatives to finally open curtains to let light in.

Gwladys Johnson Akinocho