Cherif Osonga’s Post

Today, Orezone released its inaugural sustainability report highlighting the Company's commitment to its employees, communities and Burkina Faso. President and CEO, Patrick Downey, said this about the 2023 sustainability report, “We are pleased to present our inaugural sustainability report. The health and safety of employees is paramount to our operations, and our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility is core to our business strategy. Partnership, community and sustainability are fundamental to how the Company operates to ensure its long-term success.” Some highlights from the report include: - Continued the Company’s strong safety performance with 4.4 million hours worked without a lost-time injury. Orezone remains steadfast in promoting employee health through continuous training and deployment of safety resources. - 1,872 contractor personnel and 888 permanent and temporary Company employees were directly involved with or supporting mining, processing, exploration, and capital project activities at the Bomboré Mine. Burkinabé citizens comprised over 98% of this direct workforce with female representation at 8%. - Approximately 71% of the value for goods and services required to operate the Bomboré Mine was sourced from local content. Direct contributions of over US$170 million to the Burkina Faso economy from taxes, royalties, expenditures and salaries from the Bomboré Mine. - The Company continued to invest in livelihood restoration programs in surrounding communities in order to improve the well-being of local residents and empowering them to be self-sufficient for the long term. To read the report, please visit this link: https://lnkd.in/eu-tYiun #Community #Sustainability #ESG #Partners #Mining

Julius Mwale Extra Africa FDI adds no value to the local economy. Africa needs a radical shift in prioritizing local investors. Julius Mwale is spearheading a transformative initiative in Zambia's industrial sector, focusing on enhancing local economies and maximizing the potential of local investors. Collaborating with President Hakainde Hichilema, Mwale's consortium is set to revolutionize Zambia's industrial landscape with a $2.4 billion investment plan. The strategic move to secure $150 million for exploring copper deposits near the DRC border positions Zambia as a key player in the global mineral supply chain, aligned with the energy transition goals. This visionary project aims to establish value-added industries, create job opportunities, and replicate past successes, promising a prosperous future for sustainable economic growth in the region. #FDI #AfricanTradeAgreement #IndustrialDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment

"These mineral rich countries should not just be sources of these resources but should be hubs where processing and manufacturing happens". #Ethiopia #Africa #Energyaccess #PIDAWEEK

DRC is in the news, this time around, it’s about the role it’s likely to play in Europe’s green energy future given its vast deposits of critical minerals, copper and #cobalt in particular. Allow me to mention here that DRC commands two thirds of the world’s cobalt production and it’s no surprise that many developed nations are looking to the Congo as a suitable supply source of cobalt. As this demand grows, it’s my hope that we will start seeing investment inflows into the country that mirror the country’s development/growth agenda and catalyze local mineral value addition. Currently, DRC’s cobalt finds its way to #China where it’s processed, this for me represents a significant source of #revenue leakage. Perhaps DRC should now start thinking of convincing European investors to set up processing and battery manufacturing plants locally then shipping a finished product, this is where value is. This demand, for me, presents further opportunities for neighboring countries like #Zambia. Given the recent investments we’ve seen going into developing railway #infrastructure especially the Lobito Corridor, a 1300km railway 🚃 line connecting DRC and Zambia to the port in Angola, Zambia is guaranteed of safe and seamless passage of its minerals to Asia, US etc. My only hope is that as this scramble for critical minerals continues, we should prioritize local value addition and infrastructure development. These mineral rich countries should not just be sources of these resources but should be hubs where processing and manufacturing happens. Rafiki Energy 🔋

DRC is in the news, this time around, it’s about the role it’s likely to play in Europe’s green energy future given its vast deposits of critical minerals, copper and #cobalt in particular. Allow me to mention here that DRC commands two thirds of the world’s cobalt production and it’s no surprise that many developed nations are looking to the Congo as a suitable supply source of cobalt. As this demand grows, it’s my hope that we will start seeing investment inflows into the country that mirror the country’s development/growth agenda and catalyze local mineral value addition. Currently, DRC’s cobalt finds its way to #China where it’s processed, this for me represents a significant source of #revenue leakage. Perhaps DRC should now start thinking of convincing European investors to set up processing and battery manufacturing plants locally then shipping a finished product, this is where value is. This demand, for me, presents further opportunities for neighboring countries like #Zambia. Given the recent investments we’ve seen going into developing railway #infrastructure especially the Lobito Corridor, a 1300km railway 🚃 line connecting DRC and Zambia to the port in Angola, Zambia is guaranteed of safe and seamless passage of its minerals to Asia, US etc. My only hope is that as this scramble for critical minerals continues, we should prioritize local value addition and infrastructure development. These mineral rich countries should not just be sources of these resources but should be hubs where processing and manufacturing happens. Rafiki Energy 🔋

📢📚 New #Publication:We’re thrilled to share our new report: #Zambia #copper wire and cable #market assessment 🗣️Karolina Stasiak, Ambassador of the #European Union to #Zambia and #COMESA « Zambian copper #industry has a great potential to expand value-addition to downstream copper #valuechains. New partnerships can drive #sustainable growth, promote #circular #economy and inclusive #development. With demand for critical #raw materials expected to grow exponentially, from exploration and extraction to value addition and #recycling, the #EuropeanUnion stands ready to support Zambia’s ambition to develop a thriving #mining industry that is environmentally and socially responsible and brings benefit to local communities ». In this report you can read about: 🎯Supply of Copper Products 🎯The Demand for Copper Wire and Cable 🎯Challenges towards Expansion of Downstream Value-Added Copper #Manufacturing 🎯Potential #Investment Opportunities 🎯#Government Policies on Downstream Value-Added Copper Manufacturing Read/ Download: 🔗https://lnkd.in/etuGhhhu We hope that this report will inspire #European and #Zambian #entrepreneurs and joint ventures and contribute to making the mining sector a real transformative driver of Zambia’s #economy! 🤝We thank everyone who collaborated on this report for their insights and efforts Jeremy Weate Lead Expert and ESG Roseta Chabala Market Assessment and Investment Expert Patience Mpofu Circular Economy expert in Mining mwansa Matokwani Investment Event Expert Stephen Doppler #CRM Expert With the guidance of Mihaela Balan (Team Leader, Africa RISE). The team is grateful to Paola Gosparini Senior Programme Manager PSD #EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA for the overall oversight and guidance on the study and the implementation of the project.

#Zambia is a significant player in #copper mining in Africa, second only to the DRC. The country relies heavily on copper exports, which constitute more than US$6 billion of its annual revenue.    Our EU Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) recent #Market assessment of copper value chain and investment in value addition, commissioned by the #EUDelegation of #Zambia and #COMESA unveiled various opportunities for expanding and enforcing the EU-Zambia copper-trade.  With the demand for copper growing as the world seeks #greentech, Zambia's copper industry represents a massive opportunity for its growth - especially as new copper reserves continue to be discovered.   Check our report that includes an in-depth dive into Zambia's copper industry, identifying crucial challenging points but also #opportunities in the #copper value chain for the country's #economic development.   Read/ Download: 🔗https://lnkd.in/etuGhhhu *The report  and its findings informed the 2024 #EU-Zambia #Copper #BusinessForum “Growing the Copper Industry through sustainable value chains” (https://lnkd.in/gxaZZGp7), event jointly organised by the EU Delegation to Zambia and #COMESA with Zambia Government and Zambian private sector organisations. Over 250 participants attended the event. The work on copper value chain is another example of  EU Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) support to the #GlobalGateway #ClimateandEnergy priority investment area. Nearing 30% of our investment, 22 of our 87 projects contribute to Climate & Energy; of these, 4 projects in Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and SADC work directly on #CRM. Many thanks to our experts! Jeremy Weate #Steve Doppler Dr Patience Mpofu mwansa Matokwani Roseta Chabala Ian Mwiinga and Paola Gosparini from #EUD. Emmanuel Barreto Ndandu Welkenhuysen EU Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) Dario Pomodoro Manisha Dookhony Sebastian Frisch Neirin Jones Omar Abdelrahman Abulheija

🌍 Interested in investing in the Zambian #copper industry? Join the EU-Zambia Business Forum 2024, dedicated to “Growing the Copper Industry in Zambia through Green Value Chains”, and taking place in Kitwe, Zambia, between 10-12 April. The event aims to: 🟢 Showcase #investment opportunities for copper value addition in #Zambia 🟢 Facilitate #b2b and #b2g matchmaking 🟢 Foster connections between European and Zambian companies and between European investors and Zambian Government CSR Europe’s Executive Director, Stefan Crets, will take part in the event and present the business case of Drive Sustainability and the methodology developed to foster responsible #sourcing and #duediligence practices in the battery value chain in South Africa. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱? Businesses operating in #mining, smelters/refinery/processing, copper-based #manufacturing, #energy, services to mines, #circulareconomy, #skills development, #construction material 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 but requires application 👉 https://shorturl.at/dFJK0 #EUZBF #engaged4change #eugreendeal #sustainability #greentransition #supplychainsustainability

🌍 Advocating for Sustainable Mining and Community Empowerment! Mrs. Mbagho Elizabeth, representing Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) implementing partner in Nigeria (Richflood Foundation), recently spoke at an event on #Environmental Protection Rehabilitation Programs (EPRP), Community Development Agreements (CDAs), and clean energy transitions in #mining. The event was organized by the MINISTRY OF SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT in Nigeria. With stakeholders representing mining host #communities, #government officials and other #NGOs. Her speech underscored the urgent need for Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund (EPRF) and Mining Host Communities funds to be directed toward comprehensive #rehabilitation of damaged sites, many of which pose #safety risks for women and #children. “Continuous monitoring of these rehabilitation efforts is crucial to maintain standards and ensure progress, especially as numerous dangerous pits remain unaddressed”. She reiterated. Equally vital, Mrs. Mbagho emphasized the importance of women’s representation in CDAs. Mining impacts women’s lives and #livelihoods profoundly, yet they are often underrepresented in decision-making processes. Mrs. Mbagho called for stronger action from the Ministry to ensure that women’s voices are included in CDA discussions. Additionally, she highlighted the need for fair #compensation when mining disrupts land-based #livelihoods, which disproportionately affects #women. she Concluded by emphasizing that we can strive for a mining sector in Africa that respects communities, promotes sustainable practices, and empowers women across. 🌱💼💪 #WomenInMining #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment #EnvironmentalProtection #MiningIndustry #WiMAfrica

The Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund (EPRF) is a crucial resource dedicated to the rehabilitation of mine sites, whether abandoned or currently active. However, it is essential that these rehabilitation activities begin in earnest. To date, it appears no significant #rehabilitation efforts have started. We must shift from merely discussing these issues in #conferences to implementing the recommendations put forth and reporting evidential progress and #achievements. The time for action is now, as these challenges have been neglected for far too long. The abandoned mine sites in Plateau State (Nigeria), in particular, are hazardous, posing significant risks to the #communities. Immediate action is required to address these pressing concerns. Long overdue. Richflood Ltd (Environmental and Social Standards) IRMA Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) NEITI (Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) MINISTRY OF SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT Africa Minerals and Miners Centre