Heath Goldfields Pays GHS 139 Million in Worker Arrears

Heath Goldfields has paid its workers over GHS 139 million in outstanding salary arrears. This payment is part of efforts to restart and stabilize operations at the Bogoso-Prestea mine. The company assumed control of the mine in late 2024.

Patrick Appiah Mensah, the General Manager, stated the payments aim to restore worker dignity. They also aim to rebuild trust and improve industrial relations after previous uncertainty. Heath Goldfields inherited nearly $87 million in liabilities from its predecessor, Future Global Resources (FGR). These debts included over $25 million owed to employees and significant sums for electricity and state institutions.

The Bogoso-Prestea mine had been inactive for almost two years before Heath Goldfields took over. Operations had ceased completely. Mr. Appiah Mensah highlighted that prioritizing workers was their first action upon assuming responsibility. The GHS 139 million has directly settled salary backlogs and supported employees facing financial hardship.

These payments have helped alleviate financial stress for affected families. They are crucial for boosting morale at the mine. Heath Goldfields is also working with labour unions to manage remaining obligations. The company faces significant technical hurdles as well. The underground mine was flooded due to power cuts that stopped pumping systems.

Heath Goldfields is currently pumping out water at a rate of 10 million litres daily. They expect to fully drain the mine by August 2026. Mr. Appiah Mensah noted that the scale of these inherited problems is often underestimated. Public focus sometimes misses the difficult conditions under which the company began its work.

Concerns about Heath Goldfields' management capacity have been addressed. The mining lease, granted in December 2024, followed a comprehensive technical and financial review. The company has already invested over $52 million. They also secured an additional $65 million from commodity trader Trafigura for rehabilitation and operations. Heath Goldfields dismissed claims about its registered capital not matching its investment scale.

Legally, the Supreme Court of Ghana upheld the lease transfer in a November 2025 ruling. This followed a challenge by the former operator. Heath Goldfields asserts its full compliance with Ghana's mining laws. The company holds a valid permit issued in December 2025. They aim to revive operations and resolve financial and technical issues at Bogoso-Prestea.