Bogoso-Prestea Dispute: FGR/Blue Gold Accuses Minerals Commission of Illegal Dealings

By Ina-Thalia Quansah

Mining firm FGR/Blue Gold is accusing the Minerals Commission and Lands Ministry of unlawfully handing over the Bogoso-Prestea Mine to Heath Goldfields, despite an ongoing legal dispute.

Addressing the media, Yiadom Boakye Amponsah, Managing Director of FGR/Blue Gold, described the situation as an “illegal occupation” of the company’s concession, vehicles, buildings, and equipment, in clear violation of Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).

He said FGR/Blue Gold’s mining lease was revoked by government in September 2024. However, under Section 27 of Act 703, lease rights remain valid until at least 30 days after the resolution of any dispute. This, he explained, means the company’s assets and rights should have been preserved until the case was settled.

Instead, Mr. Amponsah alleged that:

Heath Goldfields, incorporated in February 2024, applied for the Bogoso concession while FGR was still the legal leaseholder.

The Minerals Commission ignored proper timelines, including the required 45-day public notice, and allowed Heath to move onto the mine site in November 2024.

A Gazette notice for Heath’s application was only published in April 2025—months after the company was already on the concession.

The Managing Director stressed that FGR/Blue Gold has the financial and technical capacity to restart operations. He revealed that the company had already secured funding in August 2024 but was prevented from resuming work. He added that the firm has now raised an additional US$80 million for the mine and is urging government to restore its lease so it can repay creditors and revive the dormant operation.

Despite filing for international arbitration, Mr. Amponsah said the company is ready to withdraw the case if its mining rights are reinstated.

FGR/Blue Gold, he emphasized, will continue to pursue legal and peaceful avenues “to avoid chaos and maintain peace in the catchment area.”