Heath Goldfields Pours First Gold After Reviving Bogoso-Prestea Mine

An indigenous Ghanaian mining firm, Heath Goldfields Limited, has successfully poured its first gold at the historic Bogoso?Prestea Mine, marking a major milestone in the revival of one of the country’s most iconic but previously stalled mining operations.

Addressing the media, the Managing Director, Patrick Appiah Mensah, described the achievement as a symbol of resilience, discipline and responsible Ghanaian stewardship following nearly 24 months of complete operational shutdown.

“Today, I come before you not merely to give an update, but to share a story of resilience, discipline and responsible leadership.

“This milestone is not just a return to production; it is a powerful symbol of resilience, determination and Ghanaian stewardship,” he said.

From collapse to recovery

Mr Patrick Appiah Mensah revealed that when the company assumed responsibility for the mine a year ago, it inherited a severely distressed operation.

The underground mine was flooded, the processing plant was non-operational, the tailings storage facility posed safety risks and critical infrastructure such as the water treatment plant was not functioning.

In addition, salaries and entitlements owed to workers had accumulated over several months, while arrears owed to service providers and utilities, including the Volta River Authority, ran into millions of dollars.

“Reviving such an asset is not an event; it is a structured process that requires courage, substantial capital, regulatory support and deep commitment to stakeholders,” he said.

He noted that since taking over, the company has restored key infrastructure, rehabilitated the processing plant, stabilised the tailings facility and restarted gold production.

Jobs and economic impact

The mine’s revival has already created significant employment opportunities with over 1,400 people directly and indirectly employed.

Approximately 80 percent of the workforce has been drawn from host communities, while more than 70 local contractors and service providers are actively supporting operations.

Mr Patrick Appiah Mensah said the company deliberately assembled a team of experienced Ghanaian mining professionals to ensure operational discipline and long-term sustainability.

“This deliberate investment in human capital ensures that the mine is adequately resourced with the technical expertise and leadership capacity required,” he said.

Major engineering and financial progress

The company has also made substantial progress in dewatering the flooded underground mine, removing about 10 million litres of water daily.

So far, water levels have dropped by about 240 feet, paving the way for the eventual resumption of underground mining.

Heath Gold Fields has also demonstrated commitment to workers by paying over GH¢139 million towards inherited salary arrears and entitlements, following constructive engagement with the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union.

“This demonstrates not only financial commitment, but moral responsibility, reinforcing our credibility as a responsible Ghanaian operator,” Mr Mensah said.

 

Regulatory approval secured

The company confirmed it has secured all necessary environmental and operating permits from regulators, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Commission of Ghana, affirming compliance with national standards.

Mr Patrick Appiah Mensah added that feasibility studies are ongoing to resume underground mining using modern, efficient and technology-driven methods, alongside plans to rehabilitate the sulphide treatment plant to unlock long-term value from the mine’s mineral resources.

Community development commitment

Beyond production, Heath Gold Fields is preparing to launch structured community development initiatives focused on infrastructure, healthcare, education and enterprise support.

Mr Mensah stressed that mining must benefit host communities directly.

“We shouldn’t treat community development as an afterthought. It is something you prioritise right from the start,” he said.

He assured stakeholders that the company remains fully compliant with its mineral rights obligations and is committed to sustainable and responsible mining practices.

With gold now being poured regularly, the revival of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine signals a significant step in strengthening Ghana’s indigenous participation in the mining sector and restoring economic activity in host communities.

 

 

 

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

The post Heath Goldfields Pours First Gold After Reviving Bogoso-Prestea Mine appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story