Bogoso-Prestea Mine Blast: Multiple galamseyers feared dead

A minimum of six illegal miners, popularly known as galamseyers, are feared to have died after being trapped in the underground shafts of the Bogoso-Prestea Mine in the Western Region, according to a report by JoyNews.

The report indicates that the incident happened on the afternoon of November 18, 2025, and is believed to have been triggered by noxious smoke that followed an unauthorised underground blast in an abandoned pit belonging to Heath Goldfields.

The tragedy is said to have occurred at Level 8 and Level 9 of the mine, some of the deepest and most difficult sections to access.

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Authorities are struggling to confirm the exact number of victims due to the secretive manner in which the miners entered the site.

There are fears the death toll could be higher than the early figures suggest, given the size and remoteness of the underground areas the miners illegally accessed.

Initial reports placed the casualties at around 11, while some accounts suggested as many as 30 people may have died.

Reports indicate that the incident has been reported to the Prestea Police and the police are handling the case.

Although management and the police are yet to release an official statement, mine sources believe the deaths were likely caused by asphyxiation from carbon gases, possibly carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, which filled the tunnels after the unauthorised blast carried out by the illegal miners.



Heath Goldfields recently took over the management and running of the Bogoso-Prestea mines, which is being disputed in court by the current leaseholders Blue Gold.

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AK/BAI