Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah
Workers of Heath Goldfields, current managers of the Bogoso-Prestea gold mine, have expressed their displeasure over the company’s posture regarding their working condition, particularly the payment of salary arrears.
The aggrieved workers, who pleaded anonymity, alleged that despite high-profile media tours and public claims of progress, “little tangible work” is being done by the company to settle workers’ unpaid salaries.
According to the workers, after months of demonstrations led by a coalition of ‘Concerned Workers,’ Heath Goldfields made partial salary payments for February and March 2025, citing the fact that Future Global Resources (FGR) had not terminated employment contracts until the lease was revoked in September 2024. A company memo subsequently instructed the entire workforce to undergo clearance for full settlement.
However, workers claimed that only six months’ arrears, covering April to September 2025, have been paid, while managers have received nothing as well as their provident fund and severance package.
The workers further alleged that in a meeting with the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, three weeks ago, management of Heath reportedly admitted it lacked funds to meet the full obligation.
A payment plan negotiated with the union was rejected outright by workers, who accused management of bad faith.
To ease pressure, the workers claim Heath Goldfields reportedly paid off a handful of junior workers with small provident balances, leaving the bulk of employees, including senior staff, without settlement.
“This is a clear attempt to divide the workforce,” one union representative said. “They are using selective payments as a strategy to silence protests, but the majority of workers remain unpaid.”
The union representative also claimed that contractors and suppliers are also bearing the brunt, citing Locum contractors, which is owed some US$4 million, and have received just US$1 million, with no clear roadmap for further payment.
The union representative further noted that as conditions worsened, workers previously retained for care and maintenance were abruptly laid off last week, with the workforce slashed to just 40 people, barely enough to run basic shifts.
Future Global Resources (FGR), which acquired the mine in 2020, was accused of chronic underinvestment, unpaid wages, and mounting debts, leading to the revocation of its lease in 2024.
Blue Gold Limited subsequently stepped in, acquiring the asset and announcing ambitious plans to restart operations, backed by a U.S. listing and strategic partnerships.
Blue Gold has since resumed underground mining and secured funding for expansion.
For now, workers remain restless, contractors are unpaid, and production is still stalled despite bold public claims.
“Workers are not fooled by PR,” said one activist. “They want their rightful entitlements, not staged announcements. Unless Heath changes course, the mine risks falling deeper into crisis.”
A Daily Guide Report