It is in line with AngloGold Ashanti’s values to uplift the communities in which we operate, and our local procurement policy is one of the ways in which we do this.

Local procurement

In Guinea, we have a 30% local content requirement whereby we give preference to Guinean companies, especially small and medium businesses owned or controlled by Guineans.

In terms of localising our strategic contracts, we have a set of defined actions in place to address major areas of spend like fuel transport, Block 2 road haulages and mining, and explosives. We also focus on improving the local skills base.

We recently awarded the explosives supply contract to a local joint venture who has subsequently invested in an in-country emulsion plant. The contract is valued at $21.3 million.

The transport business – totalling $46 million is also subcontracted to a 100% local company.

Enterprise development

In terms of developing the capacity of local businesses, Siguiri mine is in the process of recruiting a local business development specialist who will identify local businesses that may need assistance with growth funding and training to become competitive, credible suppliers to the mine.

The specialist will also identify products and services currently sourced from international and local multinationals and pursue opportunities for them to invest in local businesses, and identify which of these products could be supplied locally instead (technical analysis and assessment of these companies.)