File photo of Bogoso-Prestea Mine
Heath Goldfields Ltd has strongly denied recent allegations made by Future Global Resources (FGR) and Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Ltd regarding the circumstances surrounding the revocation of their mining lease and the subsequent granting of mineral rights to Heath at the Bogoso-Prestea Mine.
In a press statement sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Heath described the publications and claims by FGR/Blue Gold as “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to create public disaffection” against the company, the Minerals Commission, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to Heath, FGR’s mining lease was lawfully terminated after the company repeatedly breached key contractual obligations between 2021 and 2023.
These breaches included failure to pay workers’ salaries and statutory obligations, inability to demonstrate financial capacity to operate the mine, and lack of investment to restore full production.
The Minerals Commission reportedly wrote to FGR several times to remedy these breaches, but the requests were ignored, the statement said.
Minister of Lands visits Bogoso-Prestea Mine amid restoration efforts
Heath’s release further explained that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources granted FGR conditional approval in April 2024 to assign the mine to Blue Gold.
However, the companies failed to meet the required conditions, including payment of salary arrears, proof of funding, and resumption of full operations within the 120-day deadline.
“As clearly stated in the Minister’s letter, failure to meet these conditions would automatically revoke the conditional approval and terminate the mining lease,” the company emphasised.
Following multiple warnings and upon the advice of the Attorney General and the Minerals Commission, the government terminated FGR’s lease in September 2024.
After a competitive tender process, the mining lease was granted to Heath Goldfields Ltd in November 2024 and formally executed in December.
Heath revealed that when it assumed responsibility for the mine, operations had virtually collapsed, with no food, fuel, medical supplies, or essential maintenance services.
The company immediately stepped in to stabilize conditions, pay part of the outstanding salaries, and engage unions on a plan to settle all arrears.
The statement also highlighted a series of court actions initiated by FGR/Blue Gold to block Heath’s operations, all of which were dismissed. The High Court, on March 20, 2025, and again on May 21, 2025, ruled in Heath’s favor, dismissing injunction applications filed by FGR/Blue Gold and imposing costs of GH¢40,000 on them.
“These suits were frivolous and intended to delay the revival of the mine. Heath has since proceeded with plans to restore operations in line with the law,” the company stated.
Heath also clarified that the ratification of the mining lease by Parliament is ongoing in accordance with constitutional requirements, and the company continues to work closely with the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to complete the process before the end of 2025.
Despite ongoing legal distractions, Heath said it has invested over GH¢150 million so far, including GH¢100 million for salaries and provident fund arrears, GH¢16 million to settle contractors, and GH¢34 million in safety and infrastructure upgrades.
“Heath remains resolute and focused on reviving the Bogoso-Prestea Mine for the benefit of the people of Prestea, Bogoso, and Ghana as a whole,” the company declared.
The mining firm also condemned attempts to use the media to propagate misinformation and assured stakeholders that it will continue to operate transparently and lawfully.
SP/MA
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