{"id":115082,"date":"2026-02-12T14:41:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=115082"},"modified":"2026-02-12T14:41:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:41:36","slug":"empty-promises-and-environmental-peril-bogoso-prestea-mine-host-communities-demand-removal-of-heath-goldfields","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=115082","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Empty promises\u2019 and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='booster-block booster-read-block'>\n                <div class=\"twp-read-time\">\n                \t<i class=\"booster-icon twp-clock\"><\/i> <span>Read Time:<\/span>2 Minute, 18 Second                <\/div>\n\n            <\/div><div>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-25\">The Catchment Area Community Alliance (CACA) has launched a public appeal to the Presidency and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, demanding a \u201ccredible investor\u201d to take over the Bogoso-Prestea Mine in the Western Region.<\/p>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-25\">In a formal press statement on Thursday, February 12, the group\u2014representing the host communities of Bogoso, Prestea, Himan, Dumasi, Bondaye, and Nakaba\u2014alleged that the current operator, Heath Goldfields Limited, secured its mining leases through \u201cdeceit and misrepresentation\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"src=\"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23.jpeg\" alt=\"'Empty promises' and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields\" class=\"wp-image-10032976085\" title=\"'Empty promises' and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-105x140.jpeg 105w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-94x125.jpeg 94w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-188x250.jpeg 188w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-318x424.jpeg 318w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-38x50.jpeg 38w, https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"><\/figure>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-26\">According to CACA, the mining leases were originally granted based on firm assurances that the company possessed immediate access to over $500 million in capital and the technical expertise to restart the Prestea Underground operations. <\/p>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-26\">However, residents claim these commitments have remained unfulfilled, leaving the strategic national asset in a state of terminal neglect.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A community on the brink of environmental disaster<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-27\">The most urgent concern raised by the host communities involves the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), which is reportedly at full capacity. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"src=\"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"'Empty promises' and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields\" class=\"wp-image-10032976089\" title=\"'Empty promises' and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-105x140.jpeg 105w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-94x125.jpeg 94w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-188x250.jpeg 188w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-318x424.jpeg 318w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1-38x50.jpeg 38w, https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.23-1-1.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"><\/figure>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-27\">CACA warned that active deposition continues despite a lack of \u201cfreeboard\u201d, creating a catastrophic risk for downstream communities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key grievances cited by the Catchment Area Community Alliance:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Financial Incapacity:<\/strong> Failure to fund critical underground dewatering, ventilation, and equipment rehabilitation within agreed timelines.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Safety Violations:<\/strong> Alleged plans to conduct blasting operations within 500 metres of the Bondaye and Nakaba townships, in direct violation of Ghana Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contractor Default:<\/strong> The operator\u2019s financial struggles have reportedly prevented contractors like Rockfield and ENAS from stabilising the tailings dam, heightening the risk of a breach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-31\">\u201cActive tailings deposition is taking place in a facility that is effectively full\u2026 This presents a direct threat to downstream communities, including Dumasi and Bogoso and its environs, in the event of a tailings dam failure,\u201d the alliance cautioned.<\/p>\n<p><strong>90-day ultimatum to remedy breaches<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-32\">The communities revealed that the government has already issued a 90-day notice, effective 1st January 2026, for Heath Goldfields to remedy the documented breaches of its mining leases. With the deadline fast approaching, CACA is urging the state not to allow the mine to collapse into another cycle of failure and job losses.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\"src=\"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22.jpeg\" alt=\"'Empty promises' and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields\" class=\"wp-image-10032976090\" title=\"'Empty promises' and environmental peril: Bogoso-Prestea mine host communities demand removal of Heath Goldfields\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-105x140.jpeg 105w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-94x125.jpeg 94w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-188x250.jpeg 188w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-318x424.jpeg 318w, https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22-38x50.jpeg 38w, https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-12-at-13.10.22.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\"><\/figure>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-33\">The Alliance clarified that they are not opposed to mining but are resolute in their opposition to \u201cfinancially incapable entities\u201d being entrusted with their economic lifeline.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Signatories and Community Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The press statement was supported by a broad coalition of local leaders, including:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mr. Karim Salifu: NDC Constituency Chairman.<\/li>\n<li>Shaibu Dimbie: Assemblyman for Anfagya Nakaba.<\/li>\n<li>Messiah K.A. Baidoo: Native of Dumasi.<\/li>\n<li>Franklin Abban: Indigene of Bogoso.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"p-rc_e4105ae60da20088-38\">The group has vowed to resist any \u201cunsafe blasting activity\u201d that exposes residents to fly rock or structural damage, calling on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to prioritise the safety of citizens over the interests of the operator<sup><\/sup>.<\/p>\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/www.myjoyonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Press-Conference-.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Press Conference.\"><\/object>Press ConferenceDownload<\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <div class=\"booster-block booster-reactions-block\">\n            <div class=\"twp-reactions-icons\">\n                \n                <div class=\"twp-reacts-wrap\">\n                    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