Heath Goldfields Ltd. has confirmed the deaths of three illegal miners who were trapped inside an inactive underground section of its Prestea concession in the Western Region.
According to the company, the miners gained unauthorised access to the restricted area through illegal routes and became trapped after parts of the abandoned shaft reportedly caved in over the weekend.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the company expressed profound sadness over the tragedy and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Prestea community.
“Every loss of life, regardless of circumstance, is painful, and we stand with the affected families in grief and sympathy,” the statement read.
Heath Goldfields said it is fully cooperating with the Ghana Police Service, the Minerals Commission, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in ongoing investigations and body-recovery efforts. The company commended the emergency teams for their swift and professional response.
The concession, previously operated by Future Global Resources (FGR) until its licence was revoked in February 2024, has remained inactive. However, illegal miners are said to have been using hidden passages to enter the old underground workings. Local sources claim the victims may have suffocated after thick smoke – believed to have been triggered by a blast – filled the tunnels.
While community reports circulating in the Bogoso-Prestea area suggest up to 11 galamseyers may still be trapped, Heath Goldfields has so far confirmed only three fatalities.
“As a responsible mining company, Heath Goldfields Ltd. remains committed to the highest standards of safety… We continue to implement stringent security and safety protocols across all our concessions,” the company said.