Petition Questions Heath Goldfields’ Claims of Yildirim Group Affiliation, Flags Operational Gaps at Bogoso–Prestea Mine
A petition submitted to the Presidency by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens has raised serious questions about claims made by Heath Goldfields Limited regarding its affiliation with Yilmaden Holding, the mining division of Turkey’s Yildirim Group.
According to the petition, there is no record—past or present—of Yilmaden Holding citing Heath Goldfields as a subsidiary. Yilmaden Holding’s mining portfolio, the petition notes, comprises companies including Yilkrom, Eti Krom Mining, Eti Krom Alloy, Voskhod, Vargon Alloys, and Bear Metallurgy.
The coalition also challenged Heath Goldfields’ assertions of a $500 million investment from Yilmaden Holding to support operations at the Bogoso–Prestea Mine. The planned investment was structured over five years, with an initial $150 million allocated to cover employee benefits, supplier payments, maintenance, and operational activities in the first 18 months, followed by $350 million for the construction of a 200-tonne-per-hour sulfide processing plant.
“This is worth investigating as Heath Goldfields has not received such financing from Yilmaden Holding and there is no relationship with Yilmaden to secure such investment,” the petition reads.
The coalition further pointed to discrepancies in Heath Goldfields’ Strategic Mine Development Plan (MSDP) submitted to the Minerals Commission. The company reportedly allocated US$8.8 million under Processing Plant Maintenance between Q4 2024 and Q3 2025 for the procurement of critical equipment, spares, reagents, and infrastructure necessary to restore and sustain gold production.
However, the petition claims that apart from minor consumables like reagents and lubricants, none of the major capital equipment or critical plant components have been installed or are operational. “This misrepresentation raises serious concerns about the reliability of information submitted during the bidding and lease approval process, potentially giving Heath Goldfields an unfair competitive advantage,” the petition notes.
Operational gaps extend to underground mining activities. Several infrastructure items scheduled for delivery between Q4 2024 and Q3 2025—including dewatering systems, shaft protection, ventilation equipment, explosives facilities, and ground support materials—remain unfulfilled, affecting underground mine readiness and diverging materially from commitments outlined in the MSDP.
The coalition also highlighted a troubling pattern reminiscent of the previous operator, FGR Bogoso–Prestea Mine. Under FGR, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources cited financial insolvency, insufficient investment, operational challenges, and accumulated unpaid obligations. Despite assurances during the competitive selection process that Heath Goldfields would address these issues, the petition suggests that similar operational and financial difficulties are reemerging.
The petition concludes with a call for close scrutiny of Heath Goldfields’ claims and operational capacity to ensure accountability and protect the interests of stakeholders in the Bogoso–Prestea Mine.
