Adamus Resources makes case for practical skills training

Adamus Resources Limited, a gold mining company in the Western Region, on Monday appealed to the government to step up practical training programmes for graduates from the universities and colleges to take up positions that would otherwise be taken by expatriates.

The company stressed its commitment to the use of local content and skilled persons but said these had often been lacking, making it expensive to hire foreign labour.

At a press briefing on the operations of the company in Accra, the company announced plans to engage in the training of graduates signed on in the firm, with the expectation that the trainees would become the next crop of managers in the next few years.

Mr Mark Addo, Vice President (Sustainability) of Endeavour Mining Corporation, the parent company with whom Adamus formed a merger last December, said the training was expensive and took about three to four years; but the company believed the best legacy was to give education.

Located in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, the company, with a coverage area of 635 square kilometers, has sites in Anwia Bokobo, Salman North and South, Tebemi and Nugget Hill.

Described as the newest gold producer in the country, Mr Addo said the mine was on course to producing 100,000 ounces of gold per year, and expects to hit 250,000 in 2015.

“We are committed to sustainable development in our operational areas,” Mr Addo said, adding “education and technical skills development are key cornerstones of the company’s corporate social responsibility, with an agenda to maximise local employment.”

Enquiries by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that, Adamus has since 2009, collaborated with the Australian High Commission in training over 160 youth to acquire basic skills in electrical welding, carpentry, masonry and mechanical skill.

This has been achieved through joint programmes with Kikam Technical Institute and other hands-on training provided in the mines.

“We need to bring as much more capable people to train to international standards,” Mr Addo said; adding that, the company was also working in water and sanitation, environmental improvement and resettlement and greening of the environment.**