The Minerals Commission has officially denied receiving any verbal or formal requests from FGR Bogoso Prestea Limited for putting the Prestea-Bogoso Mine under care and maintenance.
This announcement comes amid rumours and reports suggesting that such a request had been made to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
According to the Commission, there has been no official communication from FGR, the current operators of the mine, regarding a shift in the operational status of the Prestea-Bogoso Mine.
“For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Ministry nor the Commission has received a formal application or request from FGR to put the Mine under Care and Maintenance,” the Minerals Commission clarified in a statement.
The Prestea-Bogoso Mine, now under the control of FGR Bogoso Prestea Ltd and its principal shareholder, Blue International Holdings Limited based in the United Kingdom, was previously managed by Golden Star Resources Limited.
The transfer of control has been a significant change for the mine, which is a key player in the local and national mining industry.
Despite no formal application for care and maintenance, the Commission acknowledges the cessation of mining operations at the site in December 2023, attributed to operational challenges.
In August 2023, the Commission had issued a notice to FGR regarding possible breaches of the Mining Lease, seeking clarification on why the lease should not be terminated.
The notice period expired in December 2023, and the Minerals Commission is preparing to advise the Minister on the next course of action.
The Commission reassured its dedication to managing the country’s mineral resources effectively and efficiently.
It states, “The Commission wishes to assure the public of its unflinching commitment to ensure the effective and efficient management of the mineral resources of the country, the protection of mining investment in general and the Prestea Bogoso Mine in particular to protect jobs, the local Prestea economy, community development as well as revenue generation for the benefit of the good people of Ghana.”
The future of the Prestea-Bogoso Mine remains a critical concern for stakeholders, including the local community, the mining industry, and the national economy.