The Executive Secretary of the Mass Action Committee (MAC), Atik Mohammed, has raised concerns over the operations and capacity of Heath Goldfields Limited, the reported successor operator of the Bogoso gold mines in the  Western Region.

Mr Mohammed questioned whether the company has the financial strength and credibility to effectively manage the mine, citing disparities in worker remuneration and alleged non-compliance with statutory obligations.

He raised these question in a post on social media amidst the controvesy surrounding the loan facility obtained from Trafigura by Health Goldfields. 

According to him, Goldfields Limited, the previous operator, paid a minimum of $900 to unskilled labourers, while Heath Goldfields Limited is said to pay about $550 for similar roles.

He further alleged that the company has failed to meet its obligations regarding Social Security and provident fund contributions for workers.

The MAC Executive Secretary also referenced statements attributed to the sector Minister, indicating that the lease conditions require the operator to raise between $600 million and $1 billion in investment.

Mr Mohammed argued that these concerns cast doubt on the company’s ability to meet the financial and operational demands of managing the mine.

He described the situation as troubling and called for greater scrutiny of the process that led to the company’s selection, warning against what he termed “elite capture” in the management of key national assets.

The concerns come amid ongoing public debate over the future of the Bogoso mines and the capacity of new operators to sustain production and protect the interests of workers and the state.