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The Obuasi mine of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) was put back into service on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. It was the subject of a major redevelopment after a four-year closure.
An amount of $ 881 million has been invested in the initial redevelopment project, and $ 1.6 billion is expected to be invested in the life of the 22-year mine.
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The project is expected to generate about 2,500 jobs.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accompanied by Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, cut the registration to reopen the mine, under the applause of a rally gathering officials of the company , chiefs and inhabitants of the region of Adansi. visitors.
For the President, it was a promise that had become reality, as he had committed, in the run-up to the 2016 general election, to ensure the renewal of this flourishing business, whose activities unfortunately unfortunately gave way, leading to to its eventual closure in 2014.
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For the inhabitants of Obuasi and, by extension, the Adansi region in the Ashanti region, they have every reason to welcome the return of the enterprise that was once the coolness of the region.
reorganization
Addressing the meeting, President Akufo-Addo noted that, upon taking office, a series of discussions and negotiations took place, culminating in the Obuasi Mine redevelopment project.
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"In order to help AngloGold Ashanti secure the necessary investments for this project, the government has had to provide a number of tax incentives and ensure the stability of the project against changes in the legal environment, especially in the early years. operating the mine.
"It is expected that all agreements reached, including the vigorous implementation of the national content policy, will be scrupulously honored and respected. The initial investment in the redevelopment project amounts to $ 881 million, with a total investment of $ 1.6 billion expected for the life of the mine, of a duration 22 years old. The entire investment package has been approved by Parliament, "he explained.
Faced with the thousands of jobs created by the reviving mine, the president said he was confident that Obuasi, a once vibrant city, would be brought back to life, with an improvement in living conditions. its residents.
Huge income
President Akufo-Addo said the government is expected to generate about $ 2.16 billion in revenue over the next 22 years, in the form of royalties, withholding taxes and withholding taxes.
"I badure the management and staff of the mine that the sequence of events that led to the closure of the mine will no longer occur under the supervision of this government. The days of forcibly encroaching on the company's concession, as evidenced by the years 2010 to 2016, are over, "he added.
"Develop Obuasi"
In "Obuasi 's" state of distress ", the president said that the time had come for him to take into account the fact that he was harboring the mine. gold the richest in the country and one of the richest in the world.
He acknowledged the fact that mining companies have, in recent years, completed the government's work to stimulate national development.
He added that it was expected that the AGA would do more this time to help transform Obuasi and bring it closer to the well-developed mining communities of other parts of the world.
"When government and mining companies collaborate in an intelligent and sustainable way, more can be done to transform mining communities. I have no doubt that Anglogold, under his current leadership, will be a constructive partner in this adventure, "said President Akufo-Addo.
Illegal mining
With regard to lifting the ban on small-scale mining, the president said that with considerable success, the government had been able to streamline and regulate the small-scale mining sector.
"We are committed to responsible mining and I call on you, Nananom, to help the government ensure future generations a landscape and vegetation on which they can also survive and thrive. I am happy to say that today, people are fishing again in one of the famous rivers of our country, Ankobra, "he said.
As stated in the 2019 budget, he told the chiefs and the people that the construction contract for the Obuasi-Anhwia-Nkwanta road was awarded to Joshob Construction Limited, who was already working on the site.
"Once again, the government will soon accept the plan to sell badets of Anglogold Ashanti, which will pave the way for the launch of the future Obuasi campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology," he said. he declared.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu
Asantehene said it was unfortunate that a company that provides jobs to thousands of people and contributes to the economic development of this country must be closed for a period of four years.
The closure, he said, has resulted in untold hardships and a deterioration in the standard of living of the Obuasi people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said he is happy that the mine will come alive to revitalize the city and give people a smile.
He added that the redevelopment project was having a huge impact on the future of the nation and that it should be an important signal for the whole world: the business climate has never been so bright .
"And this should further encourage our people to believe that the promise of a stronger and more dynamic economy, generating more jobs for the people, is materializing," he said.
However, he warned that "we should not be attracted by a premature sense of security because the challenges of the past are not gone and we should expect more challenges in the future".
He called on the leaders of Adansi and Amansie areas to work with the company and security agencies to ensure the maximum protection of the mine and all its badets.
Important step
For his part, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, described the launch of the redeveloped AGA mine as a major step that would reverse the economic prospects of the company and the company. local economy.
He said compliance with the local content law would translate into 24 percent of the company's total revenue over the next 22 years, while generating about 2,500 jobs for host communities.
Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh called on the host communities to leave the past behind and to show goodwill towards society in the mutual interest of both parties.
He also urged workers in the company to adopt sustainable mining practices that would not destroy land and water resources.
Capacity
The Executive Vice President of Technical Services at Obuasi Mine, Mr Graham Ehm, said the redeveloped mine had the initial capacity to produce 200,000 ounces of gold a day, with potential for 400,000 ounces when the expansion work will be completed.
He badured that the company would continue to operate sustainably so that its activities do not pose a threat to the health and the environment of the host communities.
In terms of corporate social responsibility, he said, it would put more resources into projects that would improve education, health care and livelihood support for local people.
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