Heath Goldfields resumes operation   

By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Bogoso

Heath Goldfields (Bogoso-Prestea Gold Mine) has poured its first gold ore after 24 months of complete stoppage.

This milestone, according to the company, is a sign of resilience and determination after it inherited a distressed operation.

During a media engagement at Bogoso in Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of Western Region, Managing Director-Heath Gold Fields Limited Patrick Appiah Mensah explained that when the company assumed responsibility for the mine a year ago, it faced profound operational, financial and safety challenges.

“The underground mine was flooded, the processing plant was non-operational and the water treatment facility had broken down. Salaries and worker entitlements were in arrears for months, while outstanding payments to local contractors and utility providers – including the Volta River Authority and Ghana Grid Company – ran into millions of dollars,” he said.

“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 stated.

Employment and economic impact

Mr. Mensah revealed that the mine now directly and indirectly employs over 1,400 people, with about 80 percent drawn from local communities.

Also, he said, more than 70 service providers are actively engaged, generating multiplier effects across the local economy.

He noted that the company has assembled a team of experienced Ghanaian professionals from leading global mining organisations to ensure strong technical, operational and leadership capacity.

Dewatering and infrastructure rehabilitation

Underground work, he said, has been backed by high-capacity pump installations and lowered water levels at the Prestea underground mine by 240 feet.

Currently, up to 10 million litres of water is being removed daily. “This is not incremental progress; it is transformational,” he emphasised.

He clarified that the tailings dam facility has been stabilised and restored to safe operating condition, with expansion work ongoing to enhance storage capacity and ensure long-term environmental safety.

Additionally, the processing plant has undergone structured refurbishment, including replacement of critical equipment. Mine roads, housing infrastructure and the water treatment plant have also been rehabilitated and restored to operational readiness.

Settling legacy obligations

In addressing inherited liabilities, he pointed out that the company engaged the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union under a structured settlement framework. Over GH¢139million has been paid toward settling outstanding employee obligations.

“This demonstrates not just financial commitment but also moral responsibility,” Mr.  Mensah said.

According to the MD, the company has also secured environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Authority and operational approvals from the Minerals Commission of Ghana, reflecting regulatory confidence in its safety and compliance standards.

Future plans

Looking ahead, he said Heath Goldfields is finalising a feasibility study for the Prestea underground mine – focused on deploying modern, technology-driven mining methods to unlock full value from the sulphide resource base.

Beyond production, he said the company is preparing to roll out a Strategic Community Development Initiative targetting infrastructure, education, healthcare and enterprise development in host communities.

“We did not acquire this asset for short-term optics. We acquired it to restore it operationally, socially and economically,” Mr. Mensah stressed.

The first gold pour, he added, signals not just a return to production but also rebirth of the Bogoso-Prestea mine as a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic transformation.

He concluded that Heath Goldfields is not against any partnership. “We welcome anyone who is ready to help the mine develop or shares the same vision with us.”