Out of Africa: An update from Bill Witham

It feels like a whirlwind as we approach the last few weeks of 2021 and as we prepare for closure in the New Year, I feel it is opportune to reflect on AAMEG’s final activities.

Last week, we hosted our annual Christmas Party – sponsored by Mills Oakley. The event had a great turnout, with over 70 people in attendance.

We held our final geopolitical seminar for this year on Monday – focussing on Mozambique. These locational discussions have been receiving great engagement from our members, and we look forward to continuing these in 2022.

Activities will now wrap up as we enter the holiday period – with AAMEG’s last day of operations on the 17th of December, before we reopen on the 10th January 2022.

As many of you know, this year has been one of great change – for the AAMEG Board in particular. In March, we had Tim Carstens step down from his position of Chairman after 5 years, in order to dedicate more time to external pursuits. He remains an invaluable member of the Board as a Director.

The position of Chairman of the AAMEG Board was subsequently awarded to Lycopodium Managing Director, Peter De Leo, who has taken the role and its responsibilities in his stride.

A number of other Board members’ time was due for review, come November this year. Andrew Dinning opted to again nominate as an AAMEG Board Director and was reappointed, whilst Ben Gargett and Krista Bates have stepped away from their positions, though we are certain they will remain actively engaged with AAMEG.

With these outgoing Directors, we also welcomed another. Meriel Steadman was successfully nominated to the AAMEG Board, and we are excited for the insights and unique perspectives that she will bring to the table.

After almost 4 years at AAMEG, I feel that it is my time to pass on the role of CEO to a new candidate, one who will continue to support the legacy that has been built by this organisation over its 10+ years of operation. I look forward to watching AAMEG grow and succeed in coming years, even if it is as an external party back working as a geologist.

I wish to say a special thanks to my colleagues, to our members and to all our associations. The past few years have been a mixture of incredible achievements, and inexplicable challenges. I won’t be a stranger, however, and intend on continuing to be involved with AAMEG on one level or another.

Have a great Christmas and end of year break, and I look forward to what 2022 brings.

All the best.

William (Bill) Witham
AAMEG CEO

To see the full newsletter, including information on final events for 2021, events upcoming in 2022 and an insight into the positive developments proving transformative for our mining members with operations in Tanzania, CLICK HERE