AngloGold Ashanti has hosted a 22 member mining, environmental and sustainable development delegation from Burkina Faso at its Obuasi mine. The visit marked the end of a week-long working tour of Ghana, the high point of which was a call for stronger and closer cooperation between the regulatory agencies of the two countries and mining companies at separate meetings held earlier within the week between the delegation and other sector ministries. The discussions centred on the need for increased collaboration to generate opportunities for mining communities, while enabling government agencies to increase their capacity to deal efficiently with multinational mining companies operating in the two countries. Mark Morecombe, Senior Vice President – Obuasi Operations, AngloGold Ashanti, outlined elements of the transformation project underway at Obuasi mine, which aims to: restore operational credibility, re – architect the mine and build sustainable communities. “In the long run, working closely with our stakeholders, the transformation will benefit AngloGold Ashanti, its employees, business and social partners,” he stated. The leader of the delegation, who is also the Director of the Burkina Faso Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Tiendreogo Mohammedou commended AngloGold Ashanti for building partnerships with key stakeholders including the chiefs, central government, municipal and district assemblies, in the provision of education, health and agriculture projects which he described as exemplary. “This creates social and economic opportunities in the communities and beyond, while contributing significantly to the national economy,” he said. “After 116 years of operations, AngloGold Ashanti’s mine is the economic engine of the municipality. Through close partnership and regular engagement between the company, the assembly and communities, we implement sustainable community projects for the benefit of all stakeholders. We are keen to learn through visits and exchanges of this kind, about how best we can work as partners to AngloGold Ashanti to reach our development objectives and ensure a viable future for the mine, protect the environment and develop innovative sustainability projects,” explained Emmanuel Teye, Coordinating Director for the Obuasi Municipal Assembly. AngloGold Ashanti’s approach to public private partnerships, exemplified by the success of its malaria control project, rolled out with partners including the Global Fund and the Ghana Health Service, which has significantly reduced malaria cases in communities in the Central, Ashanti, Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana, impressed the delegation. The visit therefore also served as a lessons learnt session where members are now keen to collaborate with AngloGold Ashanti to learn from its experiences and replicate this model by introducing the indoor residual spraying technology to benefit the people of Burkina Faso. Other members of the delegation included: Mr Hamidou Savadogo, Justice and Freedom, Attorney’s Office; Mr Nacisse Nikiema, Director of Inspections and Environmental Audits, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development; Mr Outtara Youssouf, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Mr. Michael Sandow Ali, Deputy Director, EPA. Among the areas toured were the surface operations and also visited the AGA Malaria Control Centre, Sanso Portal and the newly constructed Dokyiwaa village, which is where the company built 116 modern houses to resettle residents of the old Dokyiwaa community, near Obuasi.