Mining companies South32, Orion Minerals, Perenti and DRA Global have received awards for transforming communities in Africa during the 2024 Australia-Africa Minerals and Energy Group (AAMEG) Africa Awards, held as part of the yearly Africa Down Under conference, in Perth, this week.

The mining companies are enhancing the social and economic wellbeing of the communities they serve, AAMEG said.

South32 was awarded for its project that transformed the Malhampsene School, near its Mozal aluminium operations, in Mozambique, into a vibrant educational hub through a partnership with the local government and community.

For pupils, the school day used to begin under the branches of a tree, with children sitting on the ground trying to learn in makeshift outdoor classrooms. Basic amenities were non-existent.

Now, it has 21 modern classrooms providing more than 4 000 children with proper desks, safe sanitary facilities, a canteen and other infrastructure, all of which are essential elements of a supportive learning environment.

This has improved educational conditions and lifted the spirits of the community, AAMEG said.

Further, Perenti and DRA Global were announced as joint winners of the Established Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Leader category of the awards.

DRA Global launched a range of programmes to develop the next generation of industry leaders, owing to the critical shortage of engineering professionals in Africa. These initiatives included a 24-month graduate programme providing hands-on experience on major mining projects and strong mentorship toward Engineering Council of South Africa accreditation.

Additionally, DRA Global partnered with the African Academy and South African universities to provide bursaries and career support, while also offering job shadow programmes for high school students.

"These efforts have led to tangible outcomes, including the provision of 40 bursaries to students in 2023, 79 new graduates enrolled across the group, 23 internal promotions, and a 80% retention rate of programme alumni in permanent positions," AAMEG highlighted.

Meanwhile, Perenti’s Somelo poultry project, initiated by Barminco in Botswana, focuses on sustainable economic development by addressing unemployment and enhancing entrepreneurial skills in the village.

In collaboration with the local community, Barminco established a poultry farming programme that supplies eggs to the Khoemacau mine camp, generating vital funds for the village.

To overcome infrastructure challenges like the lack of electricity and water supply, the project installed solar power facilities to provide sustainable energy and clean water, thereby significantly improving community health and safety.

The project started with 100 chickens and expanded to 470, and now supplies eggs to the local school and the mine, thereby creating employment opportunities, enhancing business skills and fostering community engagement.

“These awards highlight the remarkable achievements of Australian companies operating in Africa. These businesses are not only committed to delivering value through their projects, but also to ensuring this value benefits local communities, leaving behind a positive and enduring legacy,” said AAMEG CEO Roger Staley.

“The Africa Award winners set a powerful example for the resources industry, demonstrating it is possible to achieve meaningful positive change while creating shareholder value and sustainable growth,” he said.

Orion Minerals was awarded for establishing a community participation framework to meet targets for local community employment, subcontracting opportunities and procurement.

This programme has supported the growth of Quebar Electrical and Civil Construction, which is a 100% black-owned electrical and civil construction business in South Africa.

Quebar has increased local employment and positioned itself competitively within the mining sector, thereby demonstrating a commitment to community uplift and gender equality.

At Orion’s Prieska copper/zinc mine (PCZM), in the Northern Cape, Quebar currently employs 46 people, of which 43 are from the local community, including nine female employees, AAMEG said.

This year's award, which is Orion’s third AAMEG award, recognises Orion’s work in successfully developing host community service provider Quebar Electrical and Civil Construction, as Orion progresses with site development and early mining at its flagship PCZM, in the Northern Cape, Orion said in a separate statement.

Through mentorship and guidance, Quebar increased the scope and complexity of its work and transitioned to become a core service provider in the fields of electrical and civil construction at PCZM in both the surface infrastructure and underground mining environments.

A key focus of Quebar has been to employ and uplift members of the local community, including women and youth, by training them to become qualified electricians, the diversified metal explorer and developer said.

“Our relationship with our local communities is as important as the technical and commercial needs of the business. This award underpins Orion’s commitment to developing host community economic participation as we progress towards full production at PCZM,” said Orion MD and CEO Errol Smart.

Previously, Orion was awarded AAMEG’s inaugural Emerging ESG Leader Award in 2020 and, in 2023, the company was again recognised for its pioneering approach to community participation across its projects, particularly its community participation framework.

Orion demonstrates that a junior exploration company can deliver benefits and change for the communities surrounding its operations. Quebar’s growth and success exemplify the relationships Orion has built within its host communities and, importantly, much-needed contribution to socioeconomic development in the Northern Cape, the company said.

“Quebar has completed projects of the highest technical quality and is an example and a template for other community enterprises that aspire to develop into sustainable suppliers or service providers to Orion’s operations,” said Orion Minerals sustainability and business support executive Marcus Birch.