Host communities around the Bogoso–Prestea Mine in the Western Region have appealed to government to secure a credible and financially capable investor to take over operations of the mine, citing what they described as serious failures by the current operator, Heath Goldfields Limited.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Catchment Area Community Alliance (CACA), which was signed by community leaders, including Karim Salifu, Shaibu Dimbie, Messiah K.A. Baidoo, Ebenezer Ayiinam, Gershun Bulley, Franklin Abban, Ebenezer Somuah Otchere and Awal Mohammed. The CACA is a coalition representing communities affected by the mining lease.
The group, comprising local leaders, raised concerns about the mine’s operational state, environmental risks and unmet commitments.
According to the alliance, Heath Goldfields obtained regulatory approval to acquire the Bogoso–Prestea Mining Leases on the basis of assurances that it had strong financial backing, access to more than $500 million in capital, and the technical expertise required to restart operations, particularly at the capitalintensive Prestea Underground Mine.
Insistence
However, the group insisted that those promises had not been fulfilled. “It is now evident that Heath Goldfields lacks the financial capacity required to operate the Bogoso–Prestea Mining Leases,” the alliance said in a statement read at the event.
Community representatives pointed to what they described as the company’s inability to fund critical underground work, including dewatering, ventilation, rehabilitation of equipment and the ramp-up of production within agreed timelines.
They warned that the delays had left the mine in a compromised operational condition, and had raised doubts about the company’s readiness to deliver on its strategic mine development plan.
The alliance further alleged that key components of the processing plant and underground infrastructure, which were presented as ready for immediate procurement and installation, remained outstanding. They argued that the failure to deliver on these commitments amounted to material misrepresentation to regulators.
Environmental and safety risks
Beyond operational setbacks, the group expressed alarm over what it described as growing environmental and safety threats, particularly surrounding the mine’s Tailings Storage Facility (TSF).
The alliance claimed that active deposition of mine waste was continuing in a facility they said was “effectively full,” posing a major danger to downstream communities such as Dumasi and Bogoso should a dam failure occur.
They also suggested that financial constraints facing the operator had affected contractors’ ability to adequately raise and stabilise the tailings dam, resulting in delayed or insufficient reinforcement works.
In addition, the communities voiced strong opposition to proposed blasting activities near residential settlements, including Bondaye and Nakaba.
The group cited Ghana’s Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, and stressed that blasting operations must maintain a minimum exclusion distance of 500 metres from occupied buildings.
They warned that blasting too close to homes could expose residents to risks such as flying rocks, vibrations, air blasts, and potential structural damage.
Regulatory commitments
CACA maintained that the financial projections, equipment schedules and funding assurances submitted during the acquisition process had not been honoured after approval was granted.
The group said that raised serious questions about the integrity of representations made to regulators and constituted a breach of trust.
They also confirmed awareness of a reported 90-day notice issued on December 29, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, requiring Heath Goldfields to remedy breaches of the mining lease agreements.
Demand for gov’t intervention
The alliance emphasised that it was not opposed to responsible mining, nor did it reject investors based on nationality.
Rather, it said host communities cannot accept “empty promises, misrepresentations, and financially incapable entities” managing what they described as a strategic national asset.
“Our communities have endured repeated cycles of mine failure, job losses, and environmental neglect. We cannot afford another collapse,” the statement said.
The group further called on government to act swiftly to protect jobs, ensure environmental safety, and restore confidence in the future of the Bogoso– Prestea Mine through the appointment of a technically competent and financially sound operator.
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