The Catchment Area Community Alliance (CACA), representing communities around the Bogoso-Prestea Mine, has called on the government to urgently intervene in the management of the mine’s leases, citing serious concerns about the financial and operational capacity of the current operator, Heath Goldfields Limited.
The group made the call during a demonstration in Accra on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, where members also presented petitions to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Office of the President, and the Minerals Commission.
Addressing the media, CACA alleged that Heath Goldfields Limited has failed to honour commitments made when it acquired the mining leases, including assurances of strong financial backing and technical expertise.
According to the alliance, the company lacks the financial capacity to effectively operate the mine, particularly the Prestea Underground Mine, while key infrastructure and processing equipment promised have yet to be delivered.
CACA further indicated that the previous operator, Future Global Resources, had its leases revoked due to unpaid statutory obligations and debts owed to creditors—liabilities which were subsequently assumed by the State.
The group noted that despite a seven-day negotiation window that began on November 14, 2024, no payments have been made to settle these outstanding obligations. It has therefore called on the Minister to clarify how a new permit could be considered under such circumstances.
Beyond financial concerns, CACA also raised environmental and safety issues, particularly regarding a proposed open-pit mining project at Bondaye.
The alliance argued that the plan breaches provisions of the Prestea Mining Lease, citing the proximity of a public road—less than 50 metres from the pit—and buildings located within 200 metres of the proposed blasting zones. It stressed that such conditions violate regulations requiring a 500-metre safety buffer in restricted areas without ministerial approval.
CACA is therefore urging authorities to assess the situation in line with Section 68(2) of Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which governs lease approvals and operational safety standards.
The group also expressed concern over the condition of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), which it says is nearing full capacity and poses a potential risk to downstream communities.
It warned that delays in essential stabilisation works, reportedly due to financial constraints, have heightened the risk of a tailings dam failure.
In addition, planned blasting activities near Bondaye and Nakaba have been strongly opposed, with CACA cautioning that such operations could breach legally required exclusion zones from residential areas.
The alliance maintained that its protest is not against responsible mining but rather against what it described as “empty promises, misrepresentations, and financially incapable entities” managing a vital national resource.
Officials who received the petitions assured the group that their concerns would be addressed promptly.
Meanwhile, Heath Goldfields Limited was reportedly issued a 90-day notice on December 29, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, to rectify breaches of its mining lease conditions.
CACA is therefore calling for decisive government action, including the possible termination of the current contract and the engagement of a credible and well-resourced investor to take over operations.
According to the group, such intervention is necessary to prevent further mine failure, job losses, and environmental degradation, while securing long-term benefits for both local communities and the national economy.
