The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of TUC has urged the government to expedite the decision-making process regarding the takeover of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine in the Western Region from Future Global Resources (FGR), previously known as Golden Star Resources Limited, to potential investors.
The union emphasized that Future Global Resources has not demonstrated sufficient financial capability to effectively operate the mine since it took over in 2020.
The employees have been up in arms with their employers regarding the management of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine.
Workers lament that the company lacks the financial capacity to operate the mine, with salaries, SSNIT payments among others in arrears since the takeover.
Moreover, during a media briefing, the General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of TUC Abdul Moomin Gbana urged the government to expedite the process of transferring the company to potential investors, as previous requests for proof of financial capabilities from the Minerals Commission have been unsuccessful.
“The minerals commission recognizing that it has probably done the wrong thing right from the beginning has in the last three months directed Future Global Resources (FGR), to show prove why the mining should not be terminated.”
“The expected thing to be done is for the minerals commission to terminate the mining lease because within 120 days they were not able to prove proof of financial capacity to run the Bogoso-Prestea Mine. So, we believe that Future Global Resources (FGR) cannot run the mine so they should give way to other investors”.
The union also cautioned the government against placing the company under care and maintenance, highlighting the considerable interest expressed by investors.
“We are also cautioning that the decision by Future Global Resources (FGR) and some board members of the minerals commission to do everything possible to ensure they hold unto the mining lease and rather put the mine under care and maintenance won’t be countenance”.
