Barminco, Nominee for Established ESG Leader for a Services Provider, 2024 Africa Award

About the Nominee & their Nomination

Perenti is an ASX listed diversified global mining services group with interests in contract mining, mining support services and future technology solutions. With more than 35 years of experience in surface and underground mining and a track record of delivering mining projects in challenging environments, Perenti’s experience spans multiple commodities ranging from gold to nickel and from iron ore to lithium.

Barminco is one of the world’s largest hard rock underground mining services companies, with operations in Australia, North America and Africa. African Underground Mining Services, formerly a 50/50 joint venture between Ausdrill and Barminco, is now an operating business unit of Barminco.

Initiative: Hatching Sustainable Development in Botswana

In the heart of Botswana, Perenti Group, through its subsidiary Barminco, is demonstrating how mining services companies can drive sustainable community development. Their Somelo Poultry Project is a shining example of how innovative thinking and community collaboration can transform lives and create lasting economic opportunities.

The Somelo village, home to roughly 1,000 residents, faced significant challenges including high unemployment and lack of basic infrastructure. Perenti’s response was to think outside the box – or in this case, inside the chicken coop.

The Somelo Poultry Project, initiated in November 2022, has evolved from a modest start with 100 chickens to a thriving enterprise now farming 470 chickens and producing over 300 eggs per week.

But this project is about more than just egg production.

It’s a comprehensive approach to community development that addresses multiple needs:

• Employment: The project has created vital job opportunities in a community where unemployment was rampant. Notably, five previously unskilled residents have since gained employment with Perenti at the nearby Khoemacau mine.
• Infrastructure: Perenti donated and installed solar power facilities, solving the village’s electricity shortage. This green energy solution now powers water pumps and tanks, providing clean water and improving community health and safety.
• Education: The project incorporates community volunteers in day-to-day operations, providing valuable work experience and business acumen. This knowledge is being shared across generations, creating a lasting impact.
• Sustainable Revenue: Eggs are primarily supplied to the Somelo Primary School and occasionally to the mine site, generating revenue that is reinvested in village development initiatives.
• Future Growth: The project has potential for expansion, possibly becoming a hub of egg production in Northwest Botswana. There are plans to supply eggs to schools, retail businesses, and individual consumers in the future.

What sets this initiative apart is its focus on community ownership and sustainable development. By involving community members in running the project, Perenti is ensuring that the benefits extend beyond immediate employment to include valuable business skills and experience.

The impact of the Somelo Poultry Project extends far beyond its immediate economic benefits. It has improved community health and safety through better infrastructure, united the community through teamwork, and is developing human social skills crucial for continued livelihood across the community.

As mining companies grapple with their role in community development, Perenti’s Somelo Poultry Project stands out as a model of sustainable, community-driven initiative. It demonstrates how mining services companies can leverage their resources and expertise to create lasting positive change in the communities where they operate.

This project is more than just a corporate social responsibility initiative; it’s a testament to Perenti’s commitment to being a true partner in community development. By focusing on sustainable, scalable solutions that address multiple community needs, Perenti is setting a new standard for ESG leadership in the mining services sector.