2024 mining industry marketing expo held in Obuasi

Key stakeholders in the mining value chain across the country met in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to deliberate on how to reposition mining support services to strengthen local content in the mining industry.

The event, the fifth in a series, was held under the auspices of the Ghana Chamber of Mines with support from AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, Mac Mining, and Construction Partners Limited, among others. It was organized under the theme, *"Repurposing Local Content for Economic Transformation."*

The expo provided stakeholders with the opportunity to interact and find appropriate means to strengthen the operations of local businesses within the mining space.

Industry players emphasized that strengthening local content regulations would empower local businesses to compete favorably with their foreign counterparts.

Honourable Elijah Adansi-Bonah, Chief Executive of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, described the theme of the event as timely, stressing that it aligned with ongoing efforts to transform the local economy, ensuring that Ghanaians benefit meaningfully from the wealth created through natural resources.

He highlighted the importance of Ghanaian-owned businesses' participation in the mining value chain, stating it was critical to the survival of Obuasi as a mining town.

"Our goal is to accelerate progress and ensure that Obuasi benefits from years of commercial mining. Recognizing the contributions of mining support services in the overall mining sector, we believe that strengthening local content regulation will bode well for the development of our town," he said.

Suleman Koney, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, explained the rationale behind the expo, noting that industrial procurement is complex. He emphasized the need to expand the scope to include a wide range of professionals who, directly or indirectly, influence decision-making.

He added that the Chamber of Mines is committed to addressing the challenges faced by suppliers and emphasized that local content regulations must be improved, as seen in other countries.

Mr. Koney also mentioned that the Chamber has a memorandum of understanding with the Ghana Standards Authority to validate the inputs of suppliers, including electrical components. "The idea is to ensure that the real value of mining stays in the country, not just through employment," he said.

Awie Frey, Head of Operations at AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, emphasized the importance of recognizing technological advancements driving the evolution of the mining industry. He noted that support services play a critical role in achieving the objectives of the mining sector, especially at AngloGold Ashanti, where they provide the expertise and resources needed to maximize efficiency.

Seth Quaye, Chief Operating Officer of Mac Partners Group LLC, stated in an interview that platforms like the mining industry marketing expo offer industry players the chance to interact with stakeholders and identify effective approaches to overcoming challenges in the sector.

He also stressed that regulators, in addition to guiding local companies on compliance, have a responsibility to ensure that everyone in the mining support services sector benefits equally across the country.