A six-member team has been constituted by the Minerals Commission to oversee the administration and operation of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine in the Western Region.
The team include senior officers and representatives of the workers union of the mine namely Mr. Emmanuel Dadzie, Mr. Abdul Malik Nuhu Billa, Mr. Samuel Mireku, Mr. Mac Donald Kitsin-Hytey, Mr. Enoch Kelly Kwofie and Mr. Ben Bright Caiquo.
“Therefore, you are hereby appointed to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the mine site, effective immediately,” a notice by the Commission said.
It added that the military officers will be at the mine site to secure the assets of the mine and facilitate their work by providing security at the mine.
Background
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor in a statement on September 17 announced the termination of the mining licences of FGR Bogoso Prestea Limited, in accordance with Article 88 of the Constitution, sections 5(1), 68(1), and 100(2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and Regulation 200(1) of the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176).
He said the decision was taken after reviewing various reports to review the operations of the Company and after extensive engagement with all stakeholders involved in this matter.
The Minister has since directed the Minerals Commission to engage prospective investors to revamp the Mine as soon as practicable to bring back economic activities associated with mining in the area.
This was opposed by Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited, a company that acquired the Bogoso and Prestea gold mining leases from FGR Bogoso Prestea Limited in May 2024.
In a statement, it stated that, “The grounds for any such termination would be strongly disputed by the company, and while any such dispute is ongoing the mining leases remain fully valid and the property of the company.”
The company is weighing its options in pursuing legal action against the government in that regard.