Accra, July 29, GNA – The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of the Trade Union Congress has commended Heath Goldfields Limited for paying about GHC80 million of the total indebtedness owed to workers of the Bogoso and Prestea Mines.
The Union said the gesture by the company, which are the current leaseholder and operator of the Bogoso-Prestea Gold Mine, was a giant step in fulfilment of one of the key conditions for the grant of the leases.
This was in a statement by Mr Abdul-Moomin Gbana, the General Secretary of Ghana Mineworkers’ Union copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
In November 2024, the government issued the Bogoso-Prestea mining leases to Heath Goldfields Limited.
As part of the conditions for the grant of the leases, Heath Goldfields Limited was expected to settle all outstanding indebtedness owed to workers by the previous leaseholder.
”The Union welcomes this bold move by Heath Goldfields Limited to settle the legacy debt, despite several months of legal tussles orchestrated to frustrate the current leaseholder’s investment plans for the Bogoso-Prestea mines without success,” he said.
The statement also commended Heath Goldfield Limited for assembling a team of smart, motivated, and young Ghanaian mining professionals, who were determined to turn around the Bogoso-Prestea asset for the greater good of all stakeholders.
The Union pledged its fullest support and commitment to working cooperatively and collaboratively with the new management team of Heath Goldfields Limited to settle the remaining indebtedness and ultimately transform the Bogoso-Prestea Mine into a world-class asset.
The Union called on the government through the Sector Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Regulatory Agencies especially, the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, to support the turnaround efforts of the Bogoso-Presta Mines.
GNA
Christian Akorlie