BTA Admin 
Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited is targeting 70 kilogrammes of gold production by the end of October 2026 as the state-owned mining company resumes operations following a nine-month shutdown.
The company is targeting daily processing of 850 tonnes of material as it works to restore production and improve the efficiency of its gold recovery operations.
Reginald Soweh, Senior Plant Manager for Processing, said the company expected the planned processing volume to support its monthly production target.
“We are looking at production of 850 tons per day, by which we expect to make a target of 70 kilograms of gold at the end of the month,” he said.
Management is also seeking to increase gold recovery rates from approximately 75% to 80%, with a longer-term ambition of exceeding 90%.
The resumption marks an important step in the company’s recovery after months of inactivity during which maintenance was carried out on its processing plant and concerns over the capacity of its existing tailings dam were addressed.
US$5 Million Tailings Dam Key to Sustaining Production
A major priority for the company is completing a second tailings dam to receive waste generated during gold processing.
According to Ebenezer Essien, the company’s Public Relations Officer, the shutdown was partly necessary to allow maintenance of the existing dam, which was approaching capacity, alongside repairs to the processing plant.
Tailings require proper containment because mining waste can contain chemicals and other substances that may pose environmental risks if not managed appropriately.
Mr Essien said the Environmental Protection Authority and the Minerals Commission had engaged the company over the existing facility and granted it approximately three months to continue depositing waste there while construction of the replacement facility was completed.
Management says the new dam is approximately 80% complete.
Managing Director Alhaji Ishaq Dauda said the project was estimated to cost US$5 million and was being financed internally.
“The dam is approximately five million dollars, and we are funding it internally,” he said.
A company statement dated October 7 indicated that construction was expected to be completed by the end of November, subject to the successful completion of the remaining work.
The new facility is expected to support continued mining operations. However, its completion and readiness to receive tailings will be critical to avoiding further interruptions.
Nine-Month Shutdown Raised Financial Concerns
The prolonged suspension of production also created concerns about the company’s ability to meet its financial obligations without revenue from gold sales.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson raised the issue during a visit to the facility with Prestea Huni-Valley Member of Parliament Wisdom Cudjoe and Municipal Chief Executive Dr Mathew Ayeh.
“For any company, it’s not healthy. I mean, you are not generating any income, and yet the company is expected to, you know, look after its staff and all other obligations that will require funds,” he said.
Mr Essien said workers continued receiving their salaries during the shutdown and that the company had no salary arrears arising from the suspension, according to management.
The company has not provided a verified figure for the total financial cost of the nine-month shutdown.
Company Reports Employment Opportunities for Local Youth
Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited says it has engaged approximately 150 young people from surrounding communities as graduate trainees and casual workers.
Management expects further expansion of operations to create additional employment opportunities.
The Western Regional Minister urged the company to sustain its recovery and ensure that renewed production delivers wider economic benefits for Prestea and neighbouring communities.
For the company, the immediate priorities are meeting its October production target, improving gold recovery rates and completing the new tailings dam.
Whether the restart translates into sustained production will depend on the plant’s performance, the safe management of processing waste and the company’s ability to maintain uninterrupted operations.
