Many miners, suspected to be illegal people [galamseyers], are feared dead in the underground of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine in the Western Region.
They are said to have suffocated and died underground after an unidentified smoke, suspected to have emanated from a blast, caused carbon gas to fill the underground, leading to their death.
The incident, according to Graphic Online’s sources, happened at the level 8 and 9 area of the underground of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine, currently being managed by Heath Goldfields.
It is not clear the exact number of the dead, but some sources put the figure at 30, while others say it is 11.
As of 7 pm Tuesday [Nov 18, 2025], three bodies had been retrieved from level 9 and brought to the surface of the shaft.
There was no official comment as of Tuesday night (Nov 18, 2025), three days after the incident happened on Sunday ( Nov 16).
Graphic Online understands the incident has been reported to the Prestea Police, and the police are handling the case.
Heath Goldfields recently took over the management and running of the Bogoso Prestea mine.
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There were suggestions that there was an initial attempt to conceal the incident, as there was no official comment three days after the incident occurred.
After Graphic Online’s publication on Tuesday, Heath Goldfields has since responded with an official statement dated November 19, 2025, confirming the death of three people and attempts to retrieve the remaining bodies.
Attached below is a copy of the press statement
INCIDENT INVOLVING ILLEGAL MINERS ON HEATH GOLDFIELDS’ PRESTEA CONCESSION.
Heath Goldfields (the company) wishes to update the public and industry stakeholders on the unfortunate incident involving a group of illegal miners who infiltrated and were trapped within an inactive area of our underground workings on our Prestea concession.
Preliminary reports indicate that these individuals used unauthorised routes to access a restricted area of the Mine, leading to the tragic loss of 3 lives.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Prestea community during this difficult period. Every loss of life, regardless of circumstance, is painful, and we stand with the affected families in grief and sympathy.
Heath Goldfields Ltd is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities, including the Ghana Police Service, the Minerals Commission and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), to support ongoing investigations and recovery efforts. We commend their professionalism and swift response.
As a responsible mining company, Heath Goldfields Ltd. remains committed to the highest standards of safety and the protection of human life. We continue to implement stringent security and safety protocols across all our concessions.
We assure our stakeholders, including traditional leaders, community members, regulators and partners, of our continued dedication to responsible mining, community engagement, and the safeguarding of livelihoods.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families who have lost loved ones. Our community relations team is engaging local leaders to provide support to affected families and keep the community informed.