On April 25, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, met with members of the Mine Workers Union who had staged a protest at the Ministry, demanding the revitalization of the Prestea/Bogoso Mines. The Minister assured them of the government's dedication to collaborating with all stakeholders to revive the mines and safeguard the welfare of its workers.
In a statement released by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry and shared with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, the Minister addressed the challenges faced by the Prestea/Bogoso Mines, which were acquired by Future Global Resources (FGR) in October 2020. Due to financial constraints, operations ceased in December 2023, leaving workers unpaid.
Since then, the Ministry and the Minerals Commission have been working closely with FGR and other stakeholders to settle outstanding debts and restore operations. In January 2024, FGR submitted a restructuring proposal, aiming to raise up to US$150 million to settle debts and restart mining activities.
After thorough consultations, the government granted FGR conditional approval to raise capital and restructure its operations within 120 days. Among the conditions outlined by Minister Jinapor is the commencement of salary payments within two weeks, with full settlement by May 30, 2024. The company must also demonstrate financial capability to operate the mine efficiently.
Furthermore, FGR is required to support the government's Community Mining Scheme by allocating part of its concessions for community mining activities. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the revocation of the conditional approval and termination of mining leases.
The Ministry acknowledged FGR's commitment to salary payments and pledged ongoing support to ensure the mine's revival. Regular meetings between the Ministry and FGR leadership have been scheduled to monitor progress.
In conclusion, the Ministry called for collective support from all stakeholders to facilitate the mine's rejuvenation, safeguarding jobs, and livelihoods dependent on mining activities. The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication, under President Akufo-Addo's leadership, to transparent and sustainable management of Ghana's natural resources for the benefit of its citizens.