The successful development of gold producer Randgold Resources’ Kibali gold mine in the north-eastern Orientale province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has demonstrated the capacity of mining to boost the economies of African countries and improve the lives of their people, company CEO Mark Bristow said to local media on a facility visit to the mine shortly after arriving there with his BoyzonBikes fundraising motorbike ride earlier this month.
Titled Safari Kwa Afrika Bora – Swahili for ‘Journey for a Better Africa’ – the more than 8 000 km charity ride is crossing the continent from the east coast of Kenya to the west coast of the DRC through dense equatorial jungle.
The fundraiser aims to raise $3-million for independent charitable foundation Nos Vies en Partage, which Randgold established in 2014. The foundation plans to donate these funds to programmes which support neglected children and abused women across Africa, with this year’s focus being the widows and orphans of past conflicts and the rehabilitation of child soldiers.
This is the fourth time Bristow has undertaken the BoyzonBikes fundraiser.
With a resource base of 20-million ounces of gold and reserves of 11-million ounces, Kibali mine ranks as one of the largest gold mining projects in the world.
The mine will be completely developed by 2018 once its underground operation comes into full production. Currently, Kibali is producing over 600 000 oz a year and employs more than 4 000 people, almost all Congolese nationals.
Bristow highlights that Kibali represents an investment of $1.8-billion to date, of which about $1-billion has already been invested in Congolese contractors and suppliers, many of whom have established local operations, leading to the creation of a new economic frontier in this remote region of the country.
“Kibali has brought new life and opportunity to this province, resettling more than 20 000 people from very basic villages in a model town with comprehensive amenities, including provision of healthcare and education, building an effective infrastructure and attracting the providers of the goods and services required by a developing society,” he notes.
He added that the cooperation Randgold has received from its DRC partners and community members, as well as national and local government, has contributed significantly to the socioeconomic achievements in the province.
“And we should not forget the vital role played by the international investors who were prepared to risk their capital on this venture.”
Bristow points out that there have been difficulties, however; but, by working towards a common goal, Randgold and Kibali stakeholders were able to overcome the challenges.
“It is in this same spirit of partnership that Randgold is now working with the authorities and the community to unlock the potential of the north-east province’s great mineral and agricultural resources. A number of projects are already at an advanced planning stage,” he highlights.
The Kibali-initiated palm oil project has progressed to the stage where government has granted the project full exoneration from duties on all capital items needed in the milling and refining operations, as well as the plantation establishment. Further, two more exonerations relating to fiscal and land matters are expected to complete the agreement between Randgold and the DRC government regarding the project’s investment framework.
In a related move, Randgold has launched a ‘good citizen’ initiative, in which Kibali is working closely with local stakeholders, security forces and civil society to establish a structure for peaceful conflict resolution and the maintenance of public assets and infrastructure.
The company is also making a significant investment in the development of the country’s human capital by training Congolese people as professional managers in line with its policy that all its operations should be run by local nationals.
“We’re not just creating jobs, we’re creating careers, and, for generations to come, Kibali will be managed by Congolese citizens with world-class skills,” Bristow concludes.