NEW WORLD RECORD SET AT OBUASI MINE
NEW WORLD RECORD SET AT OBUASI MINE
Since the firm was featured in Business Enquirer in September 2023, in which the publication highlighted AngloGold Ashanti’s ten-year socio-economic development plan (SEDP) for its Obuasi mine, the mine has taken major steps forward in its redevelopment.
Currently, AngloGold Ashanti operates 12 mines across Africa, The Americas, and Australia.
Production at Obuasi, an underground mine in Ghana’s Ashanti region, began in 1987 and stopped in 2014. A favourable feasibility study was completed in 2017 and indicated a strong technical and economic case with an anticipated 20year life of mine.
Further to this, approval was received from the AngloGold Ashanti Board to proceed with its redevelopment project in 2018.
The redevelopment project began in early 2019 and first gold was poured during the Q4 of that year.
ANGLO GOLD ASHANTI
PROJECT DIRECTED BY: GARY SMITH
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: LAURA WATLING
We focus on providing our clients with g game-changing solutions that are both useful and practical for water, waste, and energy management.
1ST QUARTER 2024 BEST CONTRACTOR AWARDED BY ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI
HEALTH AND SAFETY
1.8M+
MAN HOURS, LTI FREE SINCE 2019
7 WATER PLANTS MANAGED, INCLUDING 2 DRINKING WATER PRODUCTION PLANTS AND 5 INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT TREATMENT PLANTS
1,920,200 ㎥ OF DRINKING WATER PRODUCED FOR 10 COMMUNITIES IN OBUASI MUNICIPALITY IN 2023
6,941,004 ㎥ OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS TREATED IN 2023
www.africa.veolia.com
Ecological Transformation in Mining
Veolia is the world leader in environmental solutions for the mining and metals market including water management, wastewater, industrial cleaning, resource recovery, and energy services. Veolia is present in all 6 continents with almost one billion revenue in the mining and metals sector.
We work with more than 100 mining sites worldwide and while we operate at the highest level of health & safety, we help mining companies reconcile business productivity and environmental sustainability from:
• Regenerating resources such as fresh water and managing wastewater and residues;
• Depolluting mining industrial processes thanks to hazardous waste and pollutants treatment;
• Decarbonizing the activities of the mine.
We go beyond our portfolio of service offer and design fit-for-purpose sustainable services in accordance with industry needs. A current priority is to grow long-term water management service contracts with the mining industry and develop our activities in waste and hazardous waste management at mines, including mercury or other residues without creating an environmental legacy at the site. Veolia also began to work with mines to identify sustainable energy alternatives, such as biomass towards improved carbon footprint ambitions. At the Veolia Group level, we target the elimination of 18 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2027. We aim to reduce GHG emissions by 90% by 2050 (compared to 2021, 35.4Mt emissions) and neutralize residual emissions. When we focus on West Africa, there is a positive water balance for most mines, unlike other regions where there is a water deficit. What this means for miners is that they must remove contaminants from the water before releasing it into the environment, in compliance with the EPA regulations. Veolia is addressing these challenges in Ghana for instance, where our current industrial services are mostly directed to mines and relate to water and salt management.
Meeting the Needs of Our Partner
The mining industry consistently faces the challenge of increasingly scarce resources and environmental responsibility.
As the grade and quality of deposits decline, the mining industry is forced to use more resources to extract the same amount of ore. Water, energy, and waste management combine to form a significant expense line for mines, which are often located in remote areas and where the waste generated is potentially hazardous.
In addition, stricter environmental regulations and increased public pressure make it difficult for mining companies to maintain their operating permits. They need to develop strategies to limit their exposure to risks and implement best practices to cut clean-up costs. It is also by reducing the impact of mining on land and the environment, and by improving cooperation with local communities, that mining industries can ensure sustainable acceptability and therefore the productivity of their business.
As such:
• We improve productivity by treating water for production process requirements;
• We manage environmental risks by treating contaminated water to achieve water quality suitable for reuse or safe discharge into the environment;
• We seek to add value to the bottom line by treating sludge streams to recover suspended and dissolved constituents;
• We secure high-quality drinking water, even at remote mining sites;
• We have robust and reliable equipment requiring minimal unplanned maintenance; We cope with production peaks while complying with stringent regulations; We guarantee long-term efficiency and cost control through operations services.
Our solutions to combine productivity and responsibility
Thanks to our understanding of the unique requirements of mine operations and our worldwide expertise in mine water issues, we focus on system performance, environmental requirements, and long-term cost-effectiveness to meet the demanding reliability, safety, and quality standards of the mining industry.
We Deliver Value in Many Ways
• Improving operational cost-efficiency;
• Improving yield to support competitiveness;
• Securing the license to operate;
• Responsibly planning for Closure.
Benefits to the Mine
• Circular economy from the mine effluent with by-products recovery at various stages of the process. This mitigates the environmental risks as well as generates long-term local jobs for the surrounding communities and brings the potential to valorize all by-products on-site or with local third parties;
• Significant reduction of contaminated solids to be stored in tailing dams or stack pilled reducing the environmental legacy of the site;
• Salt deconcentration across the whole hydraulic scheme, leading to reduced operational costs, whilst improving infrastructure availability and water recovery.
Our Partnership with AngloGold Ashanti in Ghana
In 2019, Veolia signed a contract with AngloGold Ashanti to operate and maintain their water treatment plants at the Obuasi mine, while the project was still on care and maintenance. Now that mining has resumed and production is aiming to increase, we have 117 people working on 24/7 rotation shifts. We have two main tasks: the first is to operate four mining effluent treatment plants to ensure that the excess water discharged complies with environmental standards, and the second is to operate two drinking water plants that deliver water to the site accommodation and the surrounding community infrastructures. We were also engaged in a feasibility study and tasked with providing a comprehensive assessment of the water management process, including checking 35 waste rings and measuring the impact of the mine on local water quality and the environment more broadly.
As such, we looked at options to reduce the salinity and deconcentrate the water to make sure that mining over the next few decades will not limit the water supply. We piloted a MultifloTM sludge-clarifier technology which offers an efficient process for the removal of TSS, Colour, Algae, and heavy metal co-precipitates in wastewater, as well as the Brine Deconcentration technology which converts the super saturated salts of Reverse Osmosis process reject into useful by-products of Gypsum and Magnesium Hydroxide.
IS OUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
Supply and management of skilled/ unskilled labour for mining operations.
Provision of technical in-field training services leading to certification with relevant regulatory bodies, including MINCOM.
Supply of lubricants, greases and coolants to service both commercial and industrial hydraulic and engine needs.
Supply of equipment, tools and machinery as well as strata support consumables and accessories.
Engineering services including drafting, plant design, assembly maintenance as well as welding and fabrication etc.
Mining Tools Ghana (Pty) Ltd is a wholly-owned indigenous Ghanaian company with a team of well-experienced mining engineers and administrative professionals who have several years of industry-based experience at senior levels.
We have expertise in the supply and maintenance of mining tools, equipment and accessories to broadly support the extractive industries including mining, oil/gas as well as the quarry and construction sectors. We have strong passion to expand our operations into other global territories.
As a going concern, we deliver underground and surface mining contracts as well as supplying high quality heavy-duty machines, equipment and plant, including components, tools and consumables to the extractive industries.
2) Business Model Products & Services
To offer our clients total support services, we develop technical partnerships and collaborative alliances with top-notch global leaders to deliver underground and surface mining engineering services. We have established strategic in-country agency rights to represent world class Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for the supply of high- quality machines, equipment and plant, including components, tools and consumables to the extractive industries.
Our expertise includes labour hiring for both underground and surface mining works. In addition, we offer on-site training for clients as well as engineering consultancy services. We also have the capacity to providing a range of engineering services such as drafting and design of processing plant, corrosion control, shotcrete services and welding/fabrication among others. In addition we offer top-class lubricants, coolants and greases for both industrial machines and commercial turbo equipment and also the supply of tools, machines, ground support consumables and auxiliary mining services.
3) Commitment to Local Content
Mining Tools Ghana is fully committed to developing local content within the communities where we operate, with emphasis on the following areas:
i) Create local jobs through employment of wellmotivated and experienced personnel who comply fully with business regulations.
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI
ii) Increase the spend on local goods and services by sourcing locally, the auxiliary services and goods that meet the required standards and are available within the local supplier market.
iii) Provide capital infrastructure within the local communities in the form of dedicated workshops and training centres etc
iv) Develop capacity and competency-based training programs for the youth through our Mining and Mechanized Engineering Skills Training (MMEST) institute, which is a subsidiary of Mining Tools Ghana (Pty) Ltd.
v) Provide support to the social basket through a range of donations to clubs, educational institutions, hospitality organizations and individuals who have legitimate needs
4) Health, Safety & Environmental Practices
Due to our affiliation with global partners, our safety standards are second-to-none. We believe and adhere strictly to the fact that “no amount of money is worth a man’s life or limb”. Besides, protection of the environment, including soil, air and water bodies is as important to the company’s operation as is its profit. Our operational principles empower everyone to enforce our safety, health and environmental policies because these are fundamental requirement to the continuous functioning of our business. We place a lot of value on the health, wellbeing and safety of our employees and all stakeholders alike. We have instituted robust QA/QC systems and these have strong commitments from directors, senior-level management and the total workforce.
5) Affiliations and Memberships
We have created a strong presence and gained a membership seat with the following regulatory bodies:
5.1 Minerals Commission of Ghana
5.2 Ghana Chamber of Mines
5.3 Ghana Employers’ Association
5.4 Central Bank of Ghana
5.5 Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
5.6 Labour Commission of Ghana
Wouldn’t you rather do business with us through the channels below:
www.miningtoolsgh.com. info@miningtoolsgh.com and 0244-379594/ 0243-223287
QUANTUM LC, On the Rise
In the words of Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband, the American country music and bluegrass group, in their hit song Dream Big from their Dream Big album, “When you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue”. Nothing captures the philosophy of Quantum LC Ltd and its founder Joseph Nii Kwatey Titus-Glover as well as the words of this song.
Like great companies with small beginnings, Quantum LC started its operations from a very humble beginning in 2012, and has enjoyed steady growth in its services, portfolio and blue print since then. The company began its operations by hiring heavy duty equipment to major contractors and sub-contractors involved in Construction and Mining projects in Ghana. During that period a solid team of mechanics operating from a small workshop was on call 24 (twenty-four) hours to make sure the downtime on any piece of equipment was reduced to the barest minimum. This was in line with the company’s second VALUE which is SERVICE. Although the beginning was small, the dream has always been big.
Within 3 (three) years of starting its operations the company employed a
dynamic team of Engineers and positioned itself as a sub-contractor for some major on-going projects in Ghana. Two of such projects that are worthy of mention are the Kasoa Interchange, a project undertaken by Queiroz Galvao Construction and the construction of Terminal 3 at Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport in Accra undertaken by MAPA Construction. These projects amongst others built the capacity of the team and nurtured the dream to develop the organization into a fully-fledged contractor with the capacity to undertake major projects. A strong gold price on the international market meant that mining projects abounded in the post 2010 era.
The company first made incursions into the mining sector in 2017 as a sub-contractor to WBHO at the Adamus mine in Nzema, Ghana where the company was involved in TSF construction for the first time. In that same year the company was a subcontractor to WBHO at Newmont Ahafo South mine in Kenyase during a major earthworks project. As the company embarked on more projects, its Founder, the astute entrepreneur channeled all profits back into the company. Through the expansion of the fleet size and the employment of more professionals,
Quantum LC slowly built the foundations that are necessary for growth and expansion. Joseph’s vision through those early years was crystal clear; Quantum had to become a major player in the mining industry in Ghana.
The period from 2012 to the present day has however not been rosy. There were periods of financial drought during which the company had no projects. These were trying moments during which the company still kept almost the entire workforce in employment because “better days were sure to come”.
Breaking into the competitive arena of securing a mining contract in a major mine in Ghana came through sheer grit and determination. By 2019, the management and Board of Quantum LC Ltd had 4 (four) seasoned Mining Engineers, including Dr. Emmanuel Baffour Boakye and the Founder himself. The team had to dig deep to put together the winning bid in a tender for the Load & Haul Project at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine in the latter part of 2019. That project was the company’s first test as a Mining Contractor. It is a test the company passed with flying colors as the initial 36-month contract was renewed for
Mr. Joseph Titus-Glover Founder & CEO of Quantum LC Limited
an additional 24 months. A Joint Venture that the company formed with WBHO won another tender at the same mine during that period for Earthworks and Civil works for a BIOX Compartment, Holding Ponds, Expansion of Pipe Corridor and some remedial works at the South TSF.
Quantum LC’s involvement in Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction of the TSF at Beposo at AngloGold Ashanti’s Iduapriem Mine in Tarkwa were the next major milestones in Quantum’s journey. By incorporating a separate company called WBHOQuantum Limited, the Directors of the two companies were able to put together a competitive bid to execute both phases of the construction. By the peak construction of Phase 2 the staff strength of the Company at all locations will exceed 1,000 (one thousand) employees.
To grow a company, the Dream is important. The Dream must however be backed by competence and a clear strategy. Joseph Titus-Glover has both. The Founder of Quantum LC has employed intelligent financial engineering to secure the funding required for growth through diverse financing methods. All projects have been completed on time and all creditors have been paid on time much to the admiration of stakeholders and financiers. The introduction of Volvo’s R100E Rigid Dumper into the African market which took place
at Quantum’s instance with the purchase of 4 (four) brand new R100’s is evidence of the innovative financing approaches that Quantum adopts. The units were purchased for Phase 2 Construction of the TSF at AGA Iduapriem Mine at Beposo in Tarkwa.
By developing staff to grow into more senior positions, augmenting the team with strategic appointments at the appropriate levels, developing its codes of practice, policies and procedures, the company has developed its profile and consequently improved its capacity to bid competitively for all major mining and construction projects in Ghana.
With on-going projects at AngloGold Ashanti mines in Obuasi and Tarkwa, the company turned its attention to Newmont’s operations in Ghana. Previous attempts to secure projects with Newmont had failed but this was not a deterrent for management. The company kept knocking on Newmont’s doors. The doors finally opened when in June 2024, Quantum LC Ltd secured the 170 MT Raise of the TSF at Newmont’s Ahafo South Mine in Kenyase. This is yet another extension of the company’s footprint in Ghana. With mobilization more than 70% complete, the stage is set once more to bring all the years of expertise to bear on this new project in order to execute it to the satisfaction of our Client, Newmont.
In line with the company’s policy on social investment, Quantum has made several donations to the communities in which the company operates over the years. In 2024 alone, the Company has donated a brand new double cabin Isuzu Pickup to the Bidiem District Command of the Ghana Police Service in Obuasi, and has also donated $50,000 (Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) to the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) Endowment Fund.
Quantum LC Ltd is on the rise. The journey has been exciting so far and the dream to own a Quantum Mine is still alive. The Board of the Company recently appointed a new Managing Director, who joins the Company after a stellar career spanning 26 (twentysix) years with Mining Giant, AngloGold Ashanti Limited in various management roles. This new appointment relieves the Founder and former Managing Director of daily operational involvement in the business. In his new position as CEO of Quantum LC Ltd, Joseph Titus-Glover has set his sights on the West African sub-region to further expand the company’s footprint, experience and influence. He says “Let us build this organization as best as we can, while we still have the strength to do so and let’s leave a strong legacy for future generations”.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) was established in 1961 to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity under the Volta River Development Act. However, in 2005, the VRA's mandate was largely restricted to electricity generation, creating an enabling environment for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to enter the Ghana energy market. The transmission function was hived off into the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), while the Northern Electricity Department (NED) evolved into the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), a wholly owned subsidiary of VRA.
As a strategic player in the energy sector VRA has diversified its generation source from hydro generation, and taken advantage of available and sustainable resources of energy mainly natural gas, renewables, and liquefied petroleum products. Currently, VRA operates a total installed generation capacity of 2,547MW, with two hydroelectric plants at Akosombo and Kpong generating installed capacities of 1,020MW
and 160MW respectively. Again, complemented by a 1,330MW thermal capacity from Aboadze, Tema, Kpone and Anwomaso, and 2.5MW, 6.5MW and 28MW Solar PV plants at Navrongo, Lawra and Kaleo respectively.
VRA also distributes electricity to about eleven (11) regions in the Northern sector of Ghana through its subsidiary, NEDCo. VRA has consistently demonstrated its social responsiveness through interventions aimed at enhancing the socio-economic and physical wellbeing of the riparian communities impacted by the operation of its two dams. With the vision to become a “Model of Excellence for Power Utilities in Africa,” VRA is wellpositioned to deliver reliable and affordable power to electricity consumers in a sustainable manner.
HYHYH
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI
Now in Phase 3 of its redevelopment, the development of infrastructure necessary to support the planned ramp up in production to 5,000tpd is underway. Completion of Phase 3 is expected by the end of 2024.
The mine has made history recently, setting a new world record with the safe completion of the Kwesi Mensa Ventilation Shaft (KMVS), a vital part of the mine’s redevelopment.. At a depth of 941 metres and a diameter of 6.5m, the KMVS is the world’s largest raisebore hole, providing ventilation to the Kwesi Mensa Shaft (KMS) infrastructure.
Successful completion of the KMVS was made possible through collaboration between AngloGold Ashanti Ghana and Redpath Thonket, a mining contracting and engineering firm. Importantly, this was achieved with an excellent safety record by the raiseboring team, including local contractors such as Mining Tools Ghana, MAC Partners, and MCS Ghana.
Current statistics released by AngloGold Ashanti shows a mineral reserve of 7.11 Moz
of gold, with a gold production of 224 koz at the Obuasi Mine.
Bettering Lives in Ghana
Mining companies across the world have come a long way in recognising the importance of sustainable mining, not only for the longevity of business, but for the longevity of the land and communities in which it works.
Core to AngloGold Ashanti is its aim to be responsible steward of the environments in which it operates by: mitigating impacts from operations; engaging constructively with communities; and working to fairly share benefits of mining among its stakeholders.
One such initiative has taken place at the Obuasi mine. In May 2024 it was announced that AngloGold Ashanti has allocated 60,000 more oil palm seedlings to farmers in six districts in the Ashanti Region (further to distributing 30,000 high-yielding oil palm seedlings to farmers in the region in 2023).
ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI
The purpose of this initiative (the Climate Resilience Oil Palm Plantation, or CROPP, project) is to support the improvement of farmer’s livelihoods in the region through oil palm production, whilst also contributing to Ghana’s deforestation mitigation targets.
Meanwhile, AngloGold Ashanti’s SEDP articulates the social investment strategy for Obuasi mine for the period until 2031. The ten-year plan focuses on three intermediate outcomes: improved social development; a diversified and sustained local economy; and improved partnerships.
Underpinning the key outcomes, AngloGold Ashanti will make efforts in quality health services, education, skills development, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, community infrastructure, industrialisation, agriculture, and business development and entrepreneurship.
Since the SEDPs launch in August 2022, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana has provided water systems to four communities with plans for five more communities in 2023.
Working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency, traditional authorities, and local government, the mining business has established the “Keep Obuasi Clean” campaign. The campaign promotes hygiene with a monthly cleanup exercise, with similar programmes being run in schools where pupils will serve as ambassadors to ensure longevity of the initiative.
“All the SEDP interventions are approached with due regard for equity, diversity, and inclusion, which are integral to the process, making provision to support women, youth and physically challenged community members,” says the program report.
Continuous implementation of the tenyear plan is aligned with the business sustainability performance of Ghana’s Obusai mine, with the aim to establish sustainable businesses that support livelihoods long after the life of the mine.
Empowering SMEs for sustainable growth in Obuasi
In a collaborative effort to bolster local economic growth, empowerment, and the promotion of sustainable business development, AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine has partnered with Absa Bank Ghana Limited
In conjunction with the MasterCard Foundation, the initiative provides support for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Obuasi, providing impetus to the future economic landscape of the region. These include: Four projects have been outlined: Business Acceleration and Sustainability (BAST); Women in e-commerce; Business Supply Chain Development; and the Artisans to Entrepreneurs (A2E) project.
BAST supports SMEs in strengthening their capabilities, by assisting with organisational systems and models. This aims to improve their capacity to secure financing, and access markets more effectively.
Emphasising Obuasi’s commitment to gender equity and empowering women, the Women in e-commerce project strives to accelerate and maintain the progress and success of women in the e-commerce and the digital economy. The project aims to provide opportunities and resources for female entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital marketplace, enhancing economic empowerment and overall wellbeing.
Business Supply Chain Development focuses on developing the capabilities
of local businesses in Obuasi, aiming to improve their ability to secure contracts and meet requirements required by AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi mine. Simultaneously, it aims to strengthen and enhance Obuasi mine’s supply chain networks, ensuring seamless operations and increased efficiency.
Finally, Obuasi’s A2E Project aims to develop the skills of younger artisans in the region, supporting them to grow their income levels through training in vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial skills. The Obuasi mine also hopes that this project will help to preserve traditional technical and vocational trades, while nurturing a sustainable environment that recognises the contributions of Obuasi’s skilled artisans to local economic growth.
Emmanuel Baidoo, Senior Sustainability Manager at Obuasi Mine and Head of Community Relations, emphasised the strategic significance of each of the four projects, highlighting their potential to direct the focus of Obuasi communities, and local youth groups to build sustainable livelihoods outside the conventional operational confines of the mining industry.
SMEs are essential contributors to Ghana’s economy, providing 60% of GDP and 80% of private sector employment opportunities, with these initiatives highlighting the value that AngloGold Ashanti and its Obuasi mine provides to the country.
www.anglogoldashanti.com
