
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has swiftly intervened to avert a possible clash between old workers of Bogoso Prestea Mines and Heat Goldfields.
Heat Goldfields are the new owners of Bogoso Prestea Mines after the latter’s mining lease was transferred to the former in November, 2024.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea, Wisdom Cudjoe and Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Matthew Ayeh, has summoned management of Heat Goldfields to an emergency meeting in Sekondi.
The Minister and his entourage, after calming down nerves, addressed the enraged workers, promising government support in finding a lasting solution to the problem.
“The workers’ plight is dire – a year without pay and the mine’s condition is rapidly deteriorating. Equipment rusting and urgent action is needed.
“As a Regional Minister, I’ve listened to their concerns and will forward them to the relevant authorities for resolution”, he said.
Speaking to the media, Regional Minister Nelson indicated that the current state of the mine had raised serious questions about the new company’s commitment to reviving operations and benefiting the local community.

“So, as a Regional minister, I have listened to their concerns and I will channel it to appropriate quarters, for it to be addressed”.
Nevertheless, aggrieved workers of Bogoso Prestea Mines demanded urgent termination of Heat Goldfields’ mining lease, citing what he claimed was contractual breaches and months of unpaid salaries (from December 13, 2024).
They also alleged Heat Goldfields tampered with critical equipment including the gold room and processing machines and gold concentrates have reportedly been carted away.
The Bogoso Prestea Mines mining lease was transferred from Future Global Resources (FGR) to Heat Goldfields in November 2024, but the mines seem to have been abandoned and the yard overgrown with weeds. Workers claim the new company had failed to fulfil promises, with only 30 percent receiving basic salaries since December 13, 2024.
That apart, the new owners have failed to formally meet with the old workers after taking over to establish its presence.
It is as a result of the aforementioned issues that the old workers are now urging the government to terminate Heat Goldfields’ lease and seek a more suitable investor.
“Heat Goldfields has failed to engage workers in the mining process, despite taking over operations. We’re questioning the validity of their mining lease due to the secrecy surrounding the issue,” one of the workers claimed.
Richard Amoah Baidoo, the Safety Officer at Bogoso Prestea Mines told the media that
“We’re urging the government to clarify who owns the Bogoso Prestea Mine lease and for that person to settle our outstanding debts, including salaries from 2023, SNNIT contributions, end-of-contract benefits, rent allowances, bonuses and other entitlements so that there will be peace in the community” he stated.
But Heat Goldfields’ Chief Administrator, Kwabena Ohene Obeng, dismissed the allegations, attributing the issues to existing court injunctions.
“We’ve faced numerous lawsuits and injunctions hindering our work since taking over. While the plant does require refurbishment, plans are underway to address this”, he told the media.
He continued that contrary to claims of neglect, “we have had to navigate these legal setbacks. Fortunately, the injunctions have been dismissed, and we hope to make progress moving forward.”
Richard Amoah Baidoo, Safety Officer at Bogoso Prestea Mines, questioned the legitimacy of Heat Goldfields’ claims saying “If there is an injunction preventing you from operating, why were you still on site? An injunction would typically bar you from activities like sacking employees, removing gold concentrates, or instructing others to leave. Your actions seem to contradict the existence of such a restriction,” he argued.
But Kwabena Ohene Obeng, Chief Administrator, Heat Goldfields, again explained that the gold concentrate and other parts they took were for testing purposes.
“The Management decided to test the materials to understand their composition and determine the best course of action.
“This was done to ensure safety and control when refurbishing the plant and handling potentially valuable materials. The testing was solely for assessment purposes”.
The post W/R Minister averts potential labour unrest at Prestea appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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