Corporate Social Responsibility Agreements Model for Community Development: The Case of Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited and its Mine Local Community

In Ghana, community development is regarded by mine local communities as the most important aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to the extent that often community development is perceived to be a statutory responsibility of mining companies. Consequently, mine local communities demand for more and more, sometimes prohibitively expensive, contributions towards community development. The inability of mining companies to meet all the demands often leads to unsavoury relation between mining companies and their host communities with concomitant adverse effect on mining operations. This constitutes a business risk that needs to be addressed properly by shifting from the earlier practices of making voluntary contributions towards community development to making sustainable community development an integral part of the mining business. This paper presents the evolutionary strategic models, with differing principles and action plans, used by Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited (GSBPL) over the years to manage the development of its Bogoso/Prestea Mine Local Community (BPMLC), videlicet from a poor Philanthropic Community Assistance Model (PCAM) to an improved but ineffective Community Driven Assistance Model (CDAM) and eventually to the current effective, successful CSR Agreements Model (CSRAM).  The paper also highlights the lessons learnt from the negotiation process that led to formulation of the CSRAM as well as the benefits and successes resulting from its implementation and the challenges. It is concluded that mutual understanding, tolerance, transparency, trust, commitment and accountability are key to the successful management of CSR and community development. Keywords: Social Responsibility, Agreements Model, Mining Communitie

Open Pit Optimisation and Design of Tabakoto Pit at AngloGold Ashanti Sadiola Mine Using Surpac and Whittle Software

This paper demonstrates the application of Surpac and Whittle in open pit optimisation and design. Exploration data on the Tabakoto deposit of AngloGold Ashanti Sadiola Mine (AASM) has established 13 652 661 t of gold resource with an average grade of 1.15 g/t that could be mined using open pit method. The aim of this paper is to optimise and design a pit to mine the deposit safely and profitably using Surpac and Whittle software. The work entailed: block modelling of the Tabakoto deposit using Surpac; importing the block model to Whittle for pit optimisation; and importation of the optimal pit back to Surpac for detailed pit design. In all, 55 nested pit outlines were generated but the one with the highest Net Present Value (NPV) of US$3 185 637 was selected as the optimal pit. The optimal pit contains 446 750 t of ore at an average grade of 1.709 g/t and 2 310 910 t of waste while the designed pit has 444 982 t of ore at an average grade of 1.683 g/t and 2 416 988 t of waste.  It can be seen that using the optimal pit as base, the designed pit has less tonnes of ore, a lower grade and more waste. The difference in values is due to the expansion of the pit bottom and the creation of a ramp and berms in the designed pit which resulted in some ore loss and dilution. Again, the designed pit contains only 32.59% of the gold resource established by exploration, but the ore contained in the designed pit is what, under the current economic and geotechnical constrained, can be mined profitably and safely. Keywords: Block Modelling, Optimal Pit, Pit Design, Surpac, Whittl

Symbolism of umat’s emblem, flag and ceremonial mace - conglomeration of the university's essence and aspirations

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa was established in November 2004 by Act of Parliament (Act 677) after successfully passing through four exciting levels of erudition. It was concurrently identified by an emblem and a flag as a creditable sovereign institution. On 25th July, 2009 UMaT introduced its first ceremonial mace to be experienced at its first's congregation. This paper brings to the fore the concepts and philosophical dimensions of the emblem, flag and ceremonial mace as unique symbols of UMaT’s erudition, integrity and authority. Part of the concepts are based on studies from traditional and contemporary iconography including Adinkra andAgama traditional symbols for a gratifying symbolic and aesthetic blend. Apart from exploring the cultural background of UMaT, this material is intended to be used as a reference material for educators, historians, and other researchers in related fields and above all preserve UMaT’s rich cultural dimensions

Application of Surpac and Whittle Software in Open Pit Optimisation and Design

This paper studies the Surpac and Whittle software and their application in designing an optimised pit. Exploration data from Mpeasem Gold Mining Project (MGMP) is used as the primary input for the work. The work entails: block modelling of MGMP deposit; pit optimisation; analysis of the Pit NPV’s sensitivity to changes in gold price and mining cost; and detailed pit design. The deposit has undergone intense weathering, forming an oxidised gold deposit up to about 50 m in depth. Sections through the deposit were used to create a solid model of the orebody, which was divided into blocks to form a block model comprising unit blocks measuring 20 m x 20 m x 10 m. The block model grade was estimated using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method, giving an average grade of 1.533 g/t with 22.79 Mt of ore. During the optimisation, a total of 82 optimal pit outlines were generated using the 3D Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm. Pit 36 was chosen having the highest the Net Present Value (NPV) @ 10% of $338.60 million. The optimal pit had 21.19 Mt of ore at an average grade of 1.557 g/t. The NPV was very sensitive to gold price changes but marginally sensitive to mining cost changes. From the optimal pit, a detailed pit designed with circular ramp was selected over one with all-cut ramp since it had a higher expected revenue and lower stripping ratio. It is concluded that Surpac and Whittle software combine as a powerful tool for designing an optimal pit.Keywords: Modelling, Optimisation, Design, Surpac, Whittle

Open Pit Optimisation and Design: A Stepwise Approach

The erstwhile Nkroful Mining Limited (NML) had a concession with an approximate area of 47.84 km2 located at Nkroful in the Nzema East District of the Western Region of Ghana. The exploration data, assembled from 1997 to 2003, revealed a potential gold resource and indicated that the deposit could be mined by using open pit mining method. This paper demonstrates a stepwise approach to design an optimal open pit to exploit the deposit by using Surpac and Whittle software. Using the exploration data as the primary input, Surpac is used to create a block model of the deposit. The block model is imported into Whittle for the open pit optimisation, based on geotechnical and economic parameters derived from calculations or assembled from mines operating in Ghana. The optimal pit is then imported back to Surpac for detailed pit design incorporating a ramp and berms. The designed pit contains 5.03 Mt of ore at an average grade of 1.7063 g/t. However, it has 19.58 % more tonnes of waste, 16.05 % less tonnes of ore and 0.34 % lower average grade of ore than the respective figures in the Whittle optimal pit. The differences in the figures are due to the widening of the pit bottom and the creation of a ramp and berms in the designed pit, which resulted in the addition of some waste, ore loss and dilution.Keywords: Optimisation, Mining, Stripping Ratio, Block Model, Pit Desig

Can Capital Injection Make Challenged Gold Projects in Ghana Economically Viable? – A Case Study

Damang Gold Mine (DGM) in Ghana uses open pit mining technology to mine its gold deposit. It has an estimated mineable gold reserve of about 32 Mt exploitable for 8 years. As the gold price kept falling from 2013 and operating cost kept rising, the mine down sized its operations. But the operations became challenging due to poor performance of ageing mining equipment and processing plant, and the need for a new tailings dam. As the gold price stabilises, it could be gainful to invest capital to resolve the challenges and increase production. This study aims at investigating whether DGM would be economically viable if the intended investment is made assuming the gold price falls to US$32.15/g. The study estimates the required capital and annual operating cost to be US$89.49 M and US$100.84 M respectively.  A cash flow analysis is carried out assuming no price escalation, discount rate of 20$82 723 720.28 and Internal Rate of Return of 41.13%, indicating profitability. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the project will continue to be profitable until the revenue falls below 24%, assuming all other economic parameters remain constant. The project will also continue to be profitable until the operating cost increases beyond 30%, assuming all other economic parameters remain constant. Risk analysis on the project indicates the project has 70% chances of success. DGM could invest the capital to mine its gold reserves because the mine will make profit provided cost is controlled and production level maintained to generate needed revenue. Keywords: Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Sensitivity Analysis, Risk Analysi

Selection of Blast Design for Kofi C Pit of Endeavour Mining Corporation, Mali

The Kofi Gold Mine (KGM) of Endeavour Mining Corporation in Mali needed to select one of two alternative blast designs, Blast Design 1 (BD1) and Blast Design 2 (BD2), for the fresh rocks of the deposit, both ore and waste,  in their Kofi C Pit. BD1 has a burden of 3.2 m, a spacing of 3.5 m, a bench height of 5.0 m and a sub drill of 0.5 m. BD2 has a burden of 3.5 m, a spacing of 4.0 m, a bench height of 10.0 m and a sub drill of 0.8 m. Both designs have the same hole diameter of 115 mm and powder factor of  0.68 kg/m3. The Modified Kuz-Ram Fragmentation Model was used to estimate and compare the fragmentation of the two designs. The modelling results showed that the fragmentation of BD1 would be better than that of BD2 but cost analysis revealed that the drilling and blasting cost of BD2 would be lower than that of BD1. Consequently, BD2 was modified into Blast Design 3 (BD3) to improve the fragmentation without exceeding the drilling and blasting cost of BD1. The modification was done by increasing the powder factor of BD2 by 16.18 %. Subsequent fragmentation modelling and cost analysis revealed that BD3 and BD1 would now have the same fragmentation and the same drilling and blasting cost but BD3 would give a higher productivity. It was therefore recommended that KGM selects BD3 over BD1 and BD2 for ore drilling and blasting. BD2 could be considered for waste drilling and blasting because its lower fragmentation, which is not good enough when the rock is ore, is acceptable when the rock is waste. Keywords: Blast Design, Cost Analysis, Drilling and Blasting Productivity, Kuz-Ram Fragmentation Mode

An Economic Evaluation of the Loye Quarry of Atiwa Quarries Limited

Atiwa Quarries Limited (AQL) is one of the large operating granite quarries in the Central Region of Ghana. AQL’s current production of 24 000 m3 of aggregates per month cannot meet current demand let alone support a new contract to supply 25 000 m3 of aggregates per month for a major road infrastructure project. Fortunately, AQL has another granite concession at Loye, about 3 km from the first concession, with estimated granite reserves of 6 286 208 m3, which can be developed as a new quarry to meet the demand of the new contract. This will require capital to build infrastructure, purchase equipment, recruit labour and provide working capital. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the economic viability of the new quarry, considering it as a stand-alone project. The yearly revenue was estimated based on projected production of 25 000 m3/month and average price of US$15.63/m3.  Capital and operating costs were estimated using detailed cost estimation method based on quotations from equipment suppliers and operational unit costs of AQL. It turns out that AQL can generate yearly gross revenue of US 4.69 million but requires total capital of US$ 3.67 million; the yearly operating cost is US$1.72 million.  Cash flow and sensitivity analyses using Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) as criteria, and risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulation method were carried out. The economic analysis indicates that based on AQL’s preferred capital structure of 80$ 5.17 million and the IRR is 53.01%, showing the new quarry is profitable; the sensitivity analysis indicates that the project can withstand up to 40% drop in revenue, or over 60% increase in capital or operating cost. The risk profile indicates a probability of success of 98.2%. The study therefore recommends that AQL invests in the new quarry as it is economically viable. Keywords: Granite Quarry, Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Sensitivity Analysis, Risk Analysi

Modelling of Malaria Risk Areas in Ghana by using Environmental and Anthropogenic Variables – A Spatial Multi- Criteria Approach

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, accounting for over three million cases and thousands of deaths annually. The risks of morbidity and mortality associated with malaria are characterized by spatial and temporal variation across the country. This research sought to use GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis to produce a predictive model of malaria using eight risk factors ranging from environmental to anthropogenic. Each of the risk factors was classified into three classes of malaria risk according to how it impacts malaria prevalence. The classified risk factors were finally overlaid through the use of weighted overlay after weights were determined from them using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Results indicate that high risk areas are concentrated at the central as well as the west-southern parts of the country consisting mainly of the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Central and the Western Regions. No area was classified as low risk while 53.51% and 46.49% were classified as medium and high risk respectively. The risk map created can serve not only as a predictive tool, but can be used to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of malariatransmission.Keywords: Malaria, GIS, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Weighted Overla

A Model to Determine the Number of Rescue Brigades in Underground Mines using the Risk Factor Approach

Mine rescue practices have seen significant improvement over the century. There have been developments in breathing apparatus, safe havens, rescue capsules, rescue simulators, underground communication technology, and training for rescue brigades. Most countries practice a mine-owned rescue system and the number of rescue brigades required in a mine is country-specific and determined by the mining regulations of the host country. A review of mining regulations globally shows that the number of brigades required in a mine depends solely on the number of people employed underground. For ages, this has been the only criterion used to determine the number of rescue brigades required in a mine. This criterion is not appropriate since there are other vital factors which must be taken into account. Considering the nature, complexity and innovations in mining operation currently, this paper considers eleven (11) factors that influence the number of rescue brigades in a mine. These eleven (11) factors were subjected to focus group discussions, the Classical Analytical Hierarchy Process, and the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process to establish seven (7) vital factors with weights more appropriate for determining the number of rescue brigades required in a mine. The results show that the number of rescue brigades required in a mine depends on: the safety culture of the mine; the number of people employed per shift; the resourcefulness of the rescue team; the number of active mines in the mine; the level of mechanisation of the mine, the mining depth; and the nearness and responsiveness of sister rescue teams. A novel model called the Yenzanya Model has been derived for determining the number of rescue brigades for underground mines as a contribution to science. This should be adopted by mine regulators to determine the number of brigades required for mining projects