The Chief Inspector of Mines of the Minerals Commission has instructed Heath Goldfields to immediately cease all operations at the mine, effective June 24, 2025, in accordance with Regulation 22 of the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety, and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2182), following the Hon. Minister’s working visit to the Bogoso mine and a thorough assessment of the mine’s condition by Minerals Commission officials.
The Chief Inspector of Mines has specifically indicated that the company has forty-five (45) days from the specified date to correct any violations and provide necessary services.
This warning comes in response to the company’s subpar operations, which were identified via a comprehensive and rigorous examination of its general administrative procedures, regulatory compliance, and operational protocols, among other aspects.
It should be noted that on November 13, 2024, the Minerals Commission approved a previous proposal from Heath Goldfields, allowing the business to purchase the Bogoso-Prestea milling leasehold following a positive technical and financial evaluation.
A new Strategic Mine Development Plan, which outlined a four-phase implementation timeline to invest in and revitalize the mine from Q1 2025 (site preparation and infrastructure development) to Q4 2039 (reclamation and mine closure), was included with the proposal.
On May 16, 2025, the Minerals Commission stated that there had been no activity at the location and that the facility and soil had deteriorated since the last examination.
In addition, the Process Water Treatment Plant was non-operational, the Tailings Storage Facility was discovered to be in bad condition, and there were no contractors present. Illegal mining activities were also prevalent in certain defined areas of the company’s concession.
In addition, the business failed to fulfill its contractual duties as outlined in Section 1.18 of its updated Strategic Mine Development Plan.
Additionally, it violated Clause 7 of the mining licenses by transporting gold-bearing concentrates without first obtaining formal consent from the Minerals Commission and the Ghana Geological Survey Authority.
A group of worried employees petitioned Hon. Emmanuel Armall-Koff Buall (MP), Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, about a number of issues in addition to these flagrant infractions. In response, on May 23, 2025, the Hon. Minister went to the mine site to personally evaluate the situation.
It has been established after post-inspection investigations that Heath Goldfields is dealing with serious operational and financial issues, including unpaid employee salaries.
The Honourable Sector Minister has instructed the Minerals Commission to send formal letters to the corporation in strict adherence to the law in light of these regulatory violations.
Clause 27(b) of the Mining Lease Agreement and Regulation 200(3) of L.I. 2176 both provide the corporation a 120-day repair opportunity to address any infractions.
The mining license that Heath Goldfields was originally granted will be revoked for noncompliance.
Full Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com