W/R: Bogoso-Prestea Mine workers disheartened by alleged continued operational delays

A group of staff at Bogoso Prestea Mine, who advocated for the termination of the mining lease held by Future Global Resources/Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited (the former owners), are regretting the approach they took.

The local union decided to escalate an issue affecting the workers' well-being by organizing a series of demonstrations, accusing FGR and its management of failing to make their SNNIT payments and not providing severance, among other grievances. Many workers reported that they were forced to perform their duties without personal protective equipment (PPE) for an extended period, putting their lives at risk as the owners ignored their concerns.

Additionally, the workers accused the owners of not investing in the mine after taking over in 2020 and demanded the complete termination of their mining leases. In August 2024, Blue Gold, the parent company, announced the restart of the mine and visited the site to prepare for full operations after extensive discussions with the Minerals Commission. Workers involved in the preparatory activities after nearly a year of dormancy began receiving pay, suggesting that improvement was on the horizon.

However, it seemed that the union was not in favor of this revival. Following further protests, the mining leases of FGR/Blue Gold were ultimately terminated in September. The union and the Minerals Commission were expected to bring in a new investor to reopen the mine so that workers could return to their jobs and support their families. The local union had assured the workforce that there were potential investors ready to step in as soon as FGR/Blue Gold exited.

Five months later, however, extreme frustration has set in. Many workers who initially hesitated but later joined the union's calls are now expressing their disappointment, as there has been no visible effort from the Interim Management Committee (IMC), which includes some key union leaders, to revitalize the mine. Day by day, their bank accounts continue to dwindle.

During a meeting in Prestea on January 9, 2025, which this reporter attended, some employees confided that if they had known it would turn out this way, they would not have supported the union in pushing FGR/Blue Gold away. “We feel disappointed and neglected. The union that pushed for this, now part of the IMC, isn’t communicating with us. We used to have hope that something would come into our accounts monthly, but that’s no longer the case,” one worker expressed sadly.

The meeting revealed the other side of the struggles faced by employees and the current state of the once-thriving Bogoso Prestea Mine. The disappointment was evident on their faces as they shared their experiences. One worker stated, “My rent is due in March, and I really don't know where the next money will come from. Everything has just slowed down.”

To illustrate the current situation, workers mentioned that the underground is flooding, with no clear plan to dewater the mine. One warned, “If we don’t find a solution to this issue soon, we will ultimately lose the mine.”

The group is pleading with the IMC and the government, led by H.E. John Mahama, to take swift action to preserve the mine's viability.

Meanwhile, Blue Gold has taken legal action, seeking an injunction to restrict the control, management, and possession of Bogoso Prestea Mines pending the resolution of their dispute with the Government of Ghana over the termination of their mining leases. They are also requesting that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources be prohibited from presenting any mining lease agreements for ratification by the Parliament of Ghana regarding the Bogoso Prestea Mines.

Additionally, in December 2024, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) began investigating allegations of fraud related to the acquisition of the valuable Bogoso Prestea Mine and ordered a freeze on any transaction processes.