2024 Africa Award Winners – Mining For Good: Australian Companies Uplifting African Communities
By AAMEG | 6 September 2024
• Orion Minerals – Emerging ESG Leader Award for an Explorer/Developer
• South32 – Established ESG Leader Award for a Resource Producer
• Perenti and DRA Global – Established ESG Leader Award for a Services Provider
• So They Can – The Change-Maker Award for a Not-For-Profit/Charity
In Malhampsene, Mozambique, the school day used to begin under the branches of a tree, with children sitting in the dirt trying to learn in makeshift outdoor classrooms.
Overcrowding was rampant and basic amenities were non-existent. For these young students, education was a struggle against the elements and a lack of infrastructure.
But all that changed when South32, through its Mozal Aluminium Operations, partnered with the local government and community to transform the Malhampsene School into a vibrant educational hub.
Now, 21 modern classrooms replace those dirt-floor lessons under the trees, providing over 4,000 children with proper desks, safe sanitary facilities, a canteen and other infrastructure — all essential elements of a supportive learning environment.
This radical transformation has not only improved educational conditions but also lifted the spirits of the entire community.
This project by South32 was recognised last night among the winners of the 2024 Africa Awards, presented by WA-based Australia-Africa Minerals and Energy Group (AAMEG).
Now in its 6th year, the AAMEG Africa Awards – part of the annual ‘Africa Down Under’ Conference – spotlights mining companies and not-for-profits that are enhancing the social and economic well-being of the communities they serve.
AAMEG CEO Roger Staley praised the award recipients, saying:
“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. 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.”
One of the Africa Award judges and a native of Zimbabwe – Manager Advisory Sustainability at BDO Tamryn Lee Goddard – highlighted the personal significance of the awards:
“The Africa Awards are an amazing opportunity for companies to show that they are actually making a difference in Africa. For me, being part of the judging panel is something that is really close to my heart. I actually want to see some change and I want to see Australian companies building a brand around their operations in Africa and showing why they should be preferred operators on the continent.”
In addition to South32, the winners of the 2024 Africa Award winners were:
Orion Minerals – Emerging ESG Leader Award (Explorer/Developer)
Orion Minerals has established a Community Participation Framework to meet targets for local community employment, subcontracting opportunities and procurement. This program has supported the growth of Quebar Electrical and Civil Construction Pty Ltd, a 100% local Black-owned electrical and civil construction business. Quebar has increased local employment and positioned itself competitively within the mining sector, demonstrating a commitment to community uplift and gender equality. At Orion’s Prieska Copper Zinc Mine, Quebar currently employs 46 people, of which 43 are from the local community, including 9 female employees.
Perenti & DRA Global – Established ESG Leader (Resource Services Company) Joint Winners
Recognising the critical shortage of engineering professionals in Africa, DRA Global launched a range of programs to develop the next generation of industry leaders. Their initiatives included a 24-month graduate program providing hands-on experience on major mining projects and strong mentorship toward Engineering Council of South Africa accreditation. In addition, the company has partnered with the African Academy and South African universities to provide bursaries and career support, while also offering job shadow programs 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 program alumni in permanent positions.
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 program that supplies eggs to the Khoemacau mine camp, generating vital funds for the village. Overcoming infrastructure challenges like the lack of electricity and water supply, the project installed solar power facilities to provide sustainable energy and clean water, significantly improving community health and safety.
Starting with 100 chickens and expanding to 470, the project supplies eggs to the local school and the mine, creating employment opportunities, enhancing business skills and fostering community engagement.
So They Can – Change-Maker Award for a Not-for-Profit/Charity Organisation
So They Can is an Australian-founded NGO operating in Kenya and Tanzania on a mission to break the cycle of poverty through education, particularly by empowering girls to stay in school. Their Keeping Girls in School project has achieved remarkable impact, with a 46% increase in girls’ enrolment across partner schools. At specific schools – enrolment is up 76% in Baringo Kenya and 350% and 44 teenage mothers at Nginyang Girls’ Secondary School. There is now an equal number of girls enrolled in its partner schools in Tanzania and an increasing number of those girls are transitioning to secondary education, with a 9% increase in transition rates. 88% of partner schools reported improved academic performance in the Tanzanian Primary School Leaving Exam.