FGR/Blue Gold alleges illegal takeover of Bogoso Mine by Heath Goldfields
Mining company FGR/Blue Gold has accused the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources of unlawfully transferring the Bogoso-Prestea Mine to Heath Goldfields despite an ongoing legal dispute.
Addressing the media, Managing Director of FGR/Blue Gold, Yiadom Boakye Amponsah, described the development as an “illegal occupation” of the company’s concession, vehicles, buildings and equipment, which he said violates Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
Mr Amponsah explained that although FGR/Blue Gold’s mining lease was revoked in September 2024, Section 27 of Act 703 stipulates that lease rights remain valid until at least 30 days after the resolution of any dispute.
This, he argued, meant that the company’s assets and rights should have been preserved until the case was fully settled.
He further alleged that Heath Goldfields, incorporated in February 2024, applied for the Bogoso concession while FGR/Blue Gold was still the legitimate leaseholder.
According to Mr Amponsah, the Minerals Commission ignored legal timelines, including the mandatory 45-day public notice, and permitted Heath Goldfields to assume control of the site in November 2024.
He noted that the Gazette notice for Heath’s application was only published in April 2025, several months after the company had already moved onto the concession.
Mr Amponsah insisted that FGR/Blue Gold possesses the financial and technical capacity to restart operations.
He disclosed that the company had secured funding as far back as August 2024 but was prevented from resuming work.
Mr Amponsah noted that the firm has since raised an additional USD80 million and is calling on government to restore its lease so it can repay creditors and revive the dormant mine.
Although FGR/Blue Gold has filed for international arbitration, Mr Amponsah said the company is prepared to withdraw the case if its mining rights are reinstated.
He stressed that the firm will continue to pursue legal and peaceful avenues to avoid chaos and maintain peace in the catchment area.
“We demand performance-linked tariffs. Utilities must first reduce system losses, improve collections and eliminate inefficiencies before passing costs onto consumers,” FABAG stated.
The association also called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to publish full cost breakdowns, expand lifeline tariff bands to protect low-income households and roll out measures to cushion small businesses.
“The government must not allow inefficiencies in the utility sector to be paid for by struggling mothers selling bread at dawn or small business owners trying to survive,” the statement added.
FABAG has therefore urged the PURC to reconsider the proposed tariff increases, citing the long-term impact on jobs, investment and industrialisation.
