Concerned citizens and former employees of Heath Goldfields Limited (HGL) on Tuesday staged a massive protest in Prestea, accusing the mining company of unsafe operations, mass layoffs, environmental breaches, and failure to honour statutory obligations. The demonstrators, joined by more than 20 local political figures, constituency executives, assembly members and youth leaders, later presented a petition to the Prestea Divisional Police Commander.
At the centre of their grievances is the claim that HGL’s surface mining operations near the historic Bondaye shaft pose severe safety and structural risks. According to the petitioners, the company is operating less than 100 metres from the shaft and under 200 metres from residential communities—distances they argue contravene provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act. They contend that while government has expressed concerns about community mining practices, HGL’s own activities present far greater dangers.
Protesters also accused the company of offering only unproductive lands for community mining while refusing to release abandoned and idle areas which they insist could support sustainable local livelihoods. They further criticised HGL for inadequate investment, alleging that its operations rely on obsolete pumps, pipes and machinery inherited from previous operators, Golden Star Resources and Future Global Resources. The absence of backup pumps, they warned, exposes workers and residents to serious operational hazards.
Another major grievance relates to labour issues following HGL’s takeover of the mine in late 2024. The petition alleges that more than 600 of the company’s roughly 700 workers—representing about 85 percent of the workforce—were dismissed, leaving hundreds of families without income. Former employees are demanding unpaid severance packages, Provident Fund balances, SSNIT contributions and salary arrears, with some reportedly dying before receiving their entitlements.
Residents further accused HGL of deploying military and private security personnel who allegedly harass and intimidate community members. They urged the government to intervene immediately to withdraw the armed personnel from the area.
The petition also questioned the Minerals Commission’s decision to approve HGL’s application to mine tailings ponds, describing the move as discriminatory. Petitioners argued that Future Global Resources, which made significant investments in the mine, was denied the same approval, yet HGL—despite its minimal investment—has received clearance.
Community members additionally blamed HGL’s heavy-duty trucks for worsening the already deplorable state of Prestea’s roads. They claimed the company uses unauthorized local routes, damaging asphalt surfaces and creating health and environmental hazards.
In their concluding demands, the petitioners called for the release of abandoned shafts for community cooperative mining, immediate payment of outstanding worker benefits, improved working conditions, cessation of security-related intimidation, and investment in modern mining equipment. They also demanded payment of all outstanding SSNIT contributions and the introduction of a local employment quota.
They cautioned that no parliamentary ratification or future licence should be granted to HGL until all concerns are fully addressed, warning that failure to act would compel them to intensify their protests.
The petition was submitted by Abraham Amooh, Secretary and Ward Coordinator of the NDC, on behalf of the affected community.
