Terminate FGR Lease- Mine Workers Union

General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), Abdul-Moomin Gbana, has urged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to immediately terminate the mining lease held by Future Global Resources (FGR).

Addressing journalists at a briefing in Accra, Mr. Gbana said Future Global Resources bought the company from Golden Star Resources Bogoso/Prestea Limited in 2020.

He said the company’s inability to invest in their operations has resulted in the demonstration led by the senior staff union of FGR Bogoso-Prestea Mines calling on the government to terminate the lease contract with the company.

Mr. Gbana further indicated that as a result of the company’s financial capabilities, they are burdened with bills, “most of it which is owed to the Volta River Authority (VRA) because they cannot pay for the power they consume”.

He added that the Minerals Commission last year served a 120-day notice to the company demanding explanation on why the mining lease should not be withdrawn.

“This notice that was served to the company elapsed on December 13, 2023 and the expected thing to have been done was for the Commission to terminate the mining lease. Unfortunately, we are in February and nothing has been done,” he said.

Mr. Gbana said workers and the Union at large will resist any attempt to put the mine under care and maintenance.

“If they are not reminded by the advice and caution we are giving now then we will take over the mine together with the workers and run it,” he added.