…Inside Kwabena Duffuor’s disputed Bogoso–Prestea Mines

Reports have emerged of an alleged cover-up involving the deaths of a large number of illegal miners (galamseyers) inside the underground workings of the Bogoso–Prestea Mine in the Western Region, currently operated by Heath Goldfields.

The tragedy is said to have occurred in some of the mine’s deepest and most hazardous sections.

The exact number is not known, though insiders estimate it at about 200. Initial reports pegged the death toll at six. Media reports, including the Daily Graphic, have recorded this. It is unclear what the precise number of the dead is, but some sources estimate it at 30, while others mention 11, reflecting the confusion surrounding the incident.

Interestingly, Heath Goldfields, which counts ex-Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor as a major shareholder, has in an official statement, acknowledged the deaths of the illegal miners, but listed the loss at “3 lives”.

However, The Herald’s sources maintain that the real death toll is significantly higher, with “almost every household” in Prestea and surrounding communities said to have lost a family member.

Although the incident has been reported to the Prestea Police, who are handling the case, the police administration is yet to make a public statement about the deaths.

The illegal miners reportedly suffocated and died underground after an unidentified smoke, suspected to have come from a blast, caused carbon dioxide to fill the underground space, resulting in their deaths.

The mine remains at the centre of a high-stakes dispute following the Akufo-Addo government’s decision last year to take it from the British operator Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited, formerly Future Global Resources (FGR). The move triggered a US$1 billion arbitration against the Ghanaian state over the termination of Blue Gold’s licence and the subsequent transfer of the mine to interests linked to the Duffuor family, overseen by then Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abdulai Jinapor.

It was explained that, due to inactivity and the lack of underground patrols on the various levels, the galamsayers moved to the 8- and 9-levels and have been mining there for some time without any checks.

The galamsayers, emboldened by the lack of activity at the Prestea underground, blocked the main 8-level gangway to prevent access.

On Saturday, one of the gang of galamsayers caused a massive explosion, and the toxic fumes from the blast filled all the levels and the main Central shaft. This resulted in the loss of about 200 lives and two of the pump men of Heath Goldfields on oxygen due to inhaling the smoke.

To conceal this serious national disaster, Heath decided not to report it to the regulator, as mandated by the mining legislative instrument, to avoid damaging their brand.

They allowed the galamsey operators to remove some of the dead bodies through various openings they made, but the number was so large that every house in Prestea and nearby villages felt the impact of the loss of life in their homes.

As of late Wednesday, the galamseyers are still moving dead bodies from underground through their own channels they have created to surface.

Mines experts described the development as a national tragedy, and the government needs to pay attention to what is happening at Bogoso/Prestea Mine.

Graphic Online quotes sources, saying the incident occurred at the level 8 and 9 area of the underground of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine, which is currently managed by Heath Goldfields.

As of 7 pm Tuesday [Nov 18, 2025], three bodies had been retrieved from level 9 and brought to the surface of the shaft. There was no official comment as of Tuesday night (Nov 18, 2025), three days after the incident on Sunday (Nov 16).

Heath Goldfields took over the management and operations of the Bogoso Prestea mine last year, amid reports by The Herald and other media houses of illegal mining at the once-respected mine.

Heath Goldfields had used equipment, mining chemicals, gold concentrates and rocks excavated by the British company, amid a lack of expertise in mining.   

There were suggestions of an initial attempt to conceal the incident, as there was no official comment three days after it occurred.

Heath Goldfields has since responded with an official statement dated November 19, 2025, confirming the death of three people and attempts to retrieve the remaining bodies.

Heath Goldfields (the company) wishes to update the public and industry stakeholders on the unfortunate incident involving a group of illegal miners who infiltrated and were trapped within an inactive area of our underground workings on our Prestea concession.

“Preliminary reports indicate that these individuals used unauthorized routes to access a restricted area of the Mine, leading to the tragic loss of 3 lives.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Prestea community during this difficult period. Every loss of life, regardless of circumstance, is painful, and we stand with the affected families in grief and sympathy.

“Heath Goldfields Ltd is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities, including the Ghana Police Service, the Minerals Commission and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), to support ongoing investigations and recovery efforts. We commend their professionalism and swift response.

“As a responsible mining company, Heath Goldfields Ltd. remains committed to the highest standards of safety and the protection of human life. We continue to implement stringent security and safety protocols across all our concessions.

“We assure our stakeholders, including traditional leaders, community members, regulators and partners, of our continued dedication to responsible mining, community engagement, and the safeguarding of livelihoods.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families who have lost loved ones. Our community relations team is engaging local leaders to provide support to affected families and keep the community informed”, the statement concluded.

Mine officials suggest the deaths were likely caused by asphyxiationdue to a rapid buildup of carbonmonoxide or carbon dioxide following the unauthorised explosion allegedly detonated by the illegal miners.

The incident underscores the dangerous and persistent incursions by illegal miners into restricted mining zones. Authorities are struggling to verify the total number of casualties due to the clandestine nature of the miners’ entry.

Experts fear the final death toll could far exceed early estimates, given the remote and extensive underground areas that were accessed.

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