The Catchment Area Community Alliance (CACA) in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality has called on President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his 2024 campaign promise to revitalise underground mining in Prestea.
The group is demanding the immediate revocation of the mining licence held by Heath Goldfields, alleging that the company lacks the financial capacity to operate underground mining and has instead resorted to surface mining.
According to CACA, the company’s current operations are comparable to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
On Friday, 20 March 2026, members of the group staged a demonstration along the principal streets of Prestea ahead of a planned meeting with officials of the Minerals Commission to present their concerns.
The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the company’s inability to effectively manage the underground mine and cautioned against what they termed the exploitation of the resource by a few individuals.
CACA also raised safety concerns, alleging that the company is undertaking surface mining activities close to the Prestea–Borndie road without providing an alternative route for motorists.
The group warned that the proximity of the operations to a major shaft poses a risk to road users.
In addition, the alliance claimed that approximately 800 workers lost their jobs following the takeover of the mine by Heath Goldfields.
CACA said it would resist any further actions by the company that it considers unjust and reiterated its call for government intervention.
Responding to similar concerns at a previous media engagement, the Managing Director of Heath Goldfields, Patrick Appiah Mensah, said the company has employed about 1,400 workers, with about 80 percent drawn from host communities.
He added that a feasibility study is currently being conducted on the Prestea underground mine.
CACA has indicated that it will submit a petition to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission and the Presidency on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, calling for the revocation of the company’s mining lease.
