The Australia Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG) announced the winners from its AAMEG Africa Awards at a ceremony hosted as part of the Africa Down Under Conference in Perth
The awards recognise Australian explorers, miners and industry service organisations that champion a transparent, equitable and mutually beneficial mineral resources industry in Africa.
Vaka Health Foundation took out the title of ‘Best Workforce and Industry Development Initiative’ for its mobile technology platform delivering education and technical training for nurses and midwives across eastern and southern Africa.
The award for ‘Best Innovation in Corporate Social Development’ was given to West African Resources Ltd for its investment in education to achieve improved community outcomes in Burkina Faso. WAF delivered a wide range of educational initiatives – including the construction of new classrooms, installation of solar power, donation of furniture and equipment, and sponsorship of student scholarships and paid internship programmes.
Australia for Cedar Tanzania was a highly commended finalist in this category for its Kilimu Bora (smart farming) initiative in rural Tanzania. Its successful farming pilot project encompassed training on the agricultural and business aspects of operating and managing a mushroom farm and achieved positive results for young women and vulnerable groups in the area.
The winner of the ‘Emerging ESG Leader’ category, Sarama Resources Ltd, was recognised for its Norkama Project, a community investment strategy centred on education, health and ecological initiatives in Burkina Faso. The project has seen student numbers at Norkama Primary School grow by more than 150% and female participation moving up to 50%. In early 2022, a distribution of 40 feet of educational and medical supplies reached 1,600 students in surrounding communities as well as several regional clinics.
Incoming judge and founding director of Beltz Mining, Nkandu Beltz, commented, “It has been a privilege to highlight the great work Australian companies are doing on the Continent in pursuing the highest level of transparency and ethics in their international business.
“It is these companies who offer inspiration to others with their perseverance and ‘first mover’ status in approaching an often-overwhelming set of challenges in delivering both shareholder value at the same time as creating a lasting legacy for host communities.”
