AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has revealed the initiatives and interventions it will be carrying out as part of its 10-year Socio-economic Development Plan(SEDP). The SEDP was launched earlier today at the AngloGold Ashanti School in Obuasi.
Introduction
In November 2014, underground production was suspended at the Obuasi Mine, marking the commencement of a major restructuring programme, which saw a 4-year hiatus in operations at the Obuasi Mine. During this period, it became patently clear that the high dependence of the Obuasi local economy on the operations of the Mine was unsustainable. Consequently, upon the commencement of the Obuasi Redevelopment Project in 2018, a Social Management Plan (SMP) was developed to drive the mine’s social investment for the period 2019-2021. As the SMP drew to a close in 2021, consultations were carried out, culminating in a longer-term socio-economic Development Plan (SEDP) keeping in mind the longer life of mine, and the need for continuity in sustaining community support/social license to operate.
The SEDP represents the Social Investment Strategy for the Obuasi Mine for the period 2022-2031. It is in addition to the Mine’s commitment of paying $2 for every ounce of gold mined into the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Community Trust Fund. It seeks to support the Municipal and District Assemblies plans to improve the socio-economic well-being of the people. It priorities the mine’s host communities and the traditional capitals of the Paramount and Divisional Stools to which the host communities belong.
Continuous implementation of the SEDP is aligned with the business sustainability performance of the Mine and will be built into the annual business plan of the Mine for budgeting purposes.
Below are the various initiatives under the SEDP.
IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY TO QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES
- Construct 9 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) facilities
- Expand 6 public health facilities
- Build capacity for Pandemic Preparedness
- Organise bi-annual training for health professionals
- Organise quarterly community health sensitization and screening
- Collaborate with KNUST to establish the AGA Health Foundation (AGAHF) as a teaching hospital
IMPROVE QUALITY EDUCATION
- Organise bi-annual instructional leadership training for Basic School teachers
- Distribute 500,000 copies of learning materials to Basic Schools
- Organise yearly Mock Exams for BECE candidates
- Construct 10 classroom blocks with Water Sanitation and Hygiene MASH, library. and ICT facilities for Basic Schools.
- Establish a Robotics Training Centre at Obuasi Sec Tech
- Construct/rehabilitate Science/Computer Laboratories in SHS
- Establish a Model Community STEM Library at KNUST Obuasi Campus
- Establish AGA North Mine Workshops as a functional Engineering Training Centre and with training partnerships with the KNUST Engineering Training School
- Support KNUST to renovate/construct infrastructure at the Obuasi Campus
- Facilitate enrolment of students from host communities at the KNUST Obuasi Campus
IMPROVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
- Train 1.000 youth in mining-related disciplines
- Train 2,000 artisans
IMPROVE, WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE
- Construct 12 community water systems
- Construct 10 public toilet facilities
- Implement Keep Obuasi Clean Campaign
- Implement Environmental Cleanliness Model School Programme
IMPROVE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
- Rehabilitate 10km road network
- Install 4km overhead powerline and street lighting
- Construct and equip 3 Police Stations/Posts
- Donate building materials/equipment to support community-initiated projects
PROMOTE INDUSTRIALISATION
- Establish Eco-Industrial Park
PROMOTE AGRICULTURE
- Support 500 farmers to establish integrated forest oil palm plantation
- Support 500 farmers to cultivate and market vegetables
- Support 500 farmers to grow and market cereals
- Support 500 farmers to rear and market pigs
- Establish aquaculture project
IMPROVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- Train and coach 1,000 SMEs
- Organise 5 entrepreneurial challenges
- Organise annual Obuasi Trade Show
ENHANCE PARTNERSHIPS
- Establish Partnership Agreements/MO U to
- Ensure coordination and harmonization of interventions
- Reduce waste through the elimination of duplicated effort
- Leverage on expertise and resources to maximise benefits to communities
- Ensure sustainability through ownership
CROSS-CUTTING THEMES
- The following considerations shall be integrated into all projects:
- Employment and job creation
- Gender and social inclusion
- Environment
- Ownership and sustainability
- Technology and Innovation