Latest news with #ASM
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mining in Motion Highlights Role of Artisanal Small-Scale Miners (ASM)-Large-Scale Miners (LSM) Synergies in Africa
Ghana is making strides towards fostering greater collaboration between Artisanal Small-Scale Miners (ASM) and Large-Scale Miners (LSM), seeking to unlock greater value from the mining industry while creating newfound opportunities for local communities. A discussion at the Mining in Motion 2025 summit highlighted the value of strengthen ASM-LSM synergies, with speakers underscoring the need to promote cooperation among industry stakeholders. The session – titled Fostering Synergies Between ASM and LSM: Maximizing Gold Value through Collaboration – shed light on the role ASMs play, not only in Ghana but across the broader African continent. ASMs make up a large part of Ghana's mining industry, contributing over 35% to the country's total gold output. According to Okyere Yaw Ntrama, General Manager, Ahafo Mine at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, 'The ASM industry is labor-intensive but they are also the best producers in terms of driving value for the economy. Formalization and synergies are not only about co-existence but about co-creation of knowledge, equal access and prosperity. When we talk about shared value, we also talk about resources that should be optimally mined. If there are areas that cannot be mined by larger companies, they should be given to small-scale miners.' Ntrama further explained that through synergies between the ASM and LSM industry, Ghana can optimize mining operations. Specifically, the country can determine areas which are not commercially viable for LSM players, handing them over to ASMs to develop. Otu Solomon Kwame from the Association of Small-Scale Miners of Ghana, emphasized that, 'Sometimes small-scale miners feel neglected by the larger companies. We need to devise policies to make sure these companies are fixed into lasting cooperation. We need to work with mining companies to determine areas that have been determined as [unfeasible]. Those areas can be given to small-scale miners.' Meanwhile, Edward Bickham, Senior Adviser, World Gold Council, believes that there needs to be greater trust developed between ASM and LSM companies. He stated: 'ASMs need to be treated as other stakeholders are: understood and worked with because they are significant. As an LSM, you need to think of the sustainable development of the communities around you. ASM is an important part of livelihoods. There is also the issue of security and collaboration. You need to think about the dynamics and relationships between the two types of miners. There is a huge trust-building initiative that needs to be taken.' Echoing these remarks, Eduard Cornew, Co-founder&President of Mwamba Mining, emphasized that trust is an imperative part of improving cooperation and accelerating productivity across Ghana's mining sector. Cornew drew attention to the need to create trust between different mining corporations – from small-scale miners to larger corporations. Beyond Ghana, major mining producers in Africa are turning to regulation to facilitate collaboration across industry players. Jean-Paul Kapongo, Director General, SAEMAPE at the Ministry of Mining of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), explained that, ' It all started in our country with the advent of the mining code and the mining regulations. These two documents provide the possibility and the accessibility to access the DRC's mines.' The DRC is one of Africa's biggest mineral producers. By promoting synergies between ASM and LSM players, the country seeks to reaffirm its position as global supplier. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Business Insider
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Volaris reports May load factor of 82%
Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion reports its May 2025 preliminary traffic results. In May, Volaris (VLRS)' ASM capacity increased by 9.0% year-over-year, while RPMs for the month grew by 3.5%. Mexican domestic RPMs increased 5.7%, while international RPMs were effectively flat. As a result, the load factor decreased by 4.3 percentage points year-over-year to 81.8%. During the month, Volaris transported 2.5 million passengers. Enrique Beltranena, Volaris' President and CEO, said: 'May's capacity growth aligns with the adjustments outlined during our earnings call, allowing us to better match customer demand. Tactically, our commercial team has focused its efforts to maximize unit revenue performance by prioritizing close-in fares over load factors. As we move through the second quarter, we remain aligned with our guidance for the quarter and are seeing encouraging booking trends heading into the summer high season.' Confident Investing Starts Here:
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mining in Motion Summit Highlights Growing Support for Formalized Artisanal and Small-scale Mining Sector (ASM) Industry
The second day of the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit highlighted global industry leaders advocating for greater formalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector (ASM). The event featured keynote presentations calling for increased cooperation between the ASM and large-scale operators to drive sustainable industry growth. David Tait, CEO of the World Gold Council, emphasized the scale and importance of the ASM sector, which provides livelihoods for over 40 million people globally. However, he noted that the sector continues to face critical challenges, including illegal operations and environmental degradation. 'With rising global demand and gold prices, illegal mining is on the rise - fueling civil unrest, child labor and depriving governments of billions in revenue that could support development,' Tait stated. 'There is a risk in slow policy responses. In 1990, ASM accounted for just 4% of global gold production; today, it represents over 20%.' He commended Ghana for its various mechanisms such as the Ghana Gold Board in addressing illicit mining. 'Government leadership is a fundamental requirement,' he added. He called for African markets to increase focus on the professionalization and formalization of ASM operations, increasing ASM access to legitimate financing, and the adoption of mercury-free processing methods. He also highlighted the World Gold Council's work with seven central banks, including several in Africa, to ensure gold purchases from ASM sources are channeled through legal frameworks. Additionally, the Council has developed a guide to foster effective collaboration between the ASM and LSM actors. Representing Africa's largest gold producer, Stewart Bailey, Chief Corporate Affairs&Sustainability Officer at AngloGold Ashanti, echoed the call for coexistence. 'ASM has been part of the value chain since we were incorporated. For many years our approach has been to co-exist with ASM wherever feasible,' noted Bailey. AngloGold Ashanti is working with governments, NGOs and global organizations like the World Gold Council to support ASM operators in adopting mercury-free practices, upholding human rights, and promoting environmental rehabilitation, according to Bailey. Allan Jorgensen, Head of Responsible Business Conduct at the OECD Centre, reinforced the importance of responsible mining practices. 'To unlock Africa's potential, we must confront the challenges associated with gold as a driver of illicit activities,' Jorgensen said. The OECD developed a Due Diligence Guidance, supported by governments and aligned with regulations like those of the London Bullion Market Association, to reduce environmental and social risks in gold supply chains. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Kenya serves as a hub for smuggled gold from other African countries
Kenya has emerged as a major transit hub for gold smuggled out of African countries plagued by conflict and weak governance. Kenya serves as a key transit hub for smuggling gold from conflict-affected regions in Africa. Most of Kenya's gold production stems from undocumented artisanal and small-scale mining activities. In 2023, Kenya officially reported 672 kilograms of gold exports, though smuggled exports likely exceed two tons annually. Kenya has emerged as a major transit hub for gold smuggled out of African countries plagued by conflict and weak governance, according to a new report by SwissAid, a non-governmental organization focused on development and resource justice. Most of the country's gold output comes from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), a largely informal sector outside official state monitoring. As a result, the majority of Kenya's gold production goes unrecorded. While illicit gold exports are estimated to exceed two tons each year, only 672 kilograms were officially declared in 2023, according to a Bern-based organization. " Part of the gold that is smuggled out of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and, to a lesser extent, Ethiopia, and possibly Sudan passes through Kenya before being ultimately reexported," according to the report. Most, if not all, of the gold extracted in Kenya, or imported into the country, is eventually exported. Most of the gold smuggled out of Kenya is shipped to Dubai, where it is officially declared upon import, according to the report. Other common destinations include India and South Africa. The report also suggests that Kenya may serve as a transit hub for gold originating from Sudan, a country engulfed in civil war since 2023. Meanwhile, Kenya's officially declared gold output, mainly from two licensed medium-scale mines, is exported to refiners in South Africa and Switzerland. A previous report by the same organization warned that revenues from this illicit gold trade are helping to fuel conflict, fund criminal and terrorist networks, undermine democratic institutions, and facilitate large-scale money laundering.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Mining Leaders Call for Bold Policy Reforms at Mining in Motion 2025
African mining ministers from Ghana, Liberia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emphasized the need to review and reform Africa's mining codes during the Mining in Motion 2025 summit in Accra. Highlighting the role strengthened policies play in enhancing responsible governance, local value creation and the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), ministers outlined how evolving legal and policy frameworks are positioning the mining sector as a driver of equitable, sustainable development. Ghana is leading several ambitious initiatives to modernize its mining code. Among proposed reforms is the creation of a medium-scale mining category, bridging the gap between artisanal and large-scale operations. Ghana's Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, stressed the importance of enabling local ownership and ensuring miners have access to sustainable technology, financing models and responsible markets. 'We're proposing a legal regime that allows indigenous people to own part of the business. We want miners to start small, adopt sustainable practices, and gradually move up to larger operations. It's about creating an ecosystem of growth and accountability,' stated Deputy Minister Silemana. Liberia echoed Ghana's inclusive approach, with Wilmot J.M. Paye, the country's Minister of Mines and Energy, emphasizing that formalizing ASM is a national priority under the country's national development plan. 'Small-scale mining is where hundreds of thousands of our people gets their livelihoods. To make the sector productive, we must simplify regulations and ensure intergovernmental coordination. We're bringing miners to the table,' Minister Paye stated. Meanwhile, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma, Minister of Mining, Malawi, underscored the role of long-term planning. He stated that under Malawi's Minerals and Mining Policy, the country facilitates investment in human capital, infrastructure and modern technologies. 'We are building capacity and linking ASM miners to banks so they can grow their formal enterprises,' Minister Ng'oma stated. Adding to the continent-wide call for stronger mining governance, Godard Motemona Gibolum, Deputy Minister of Mines, DRC, emphasized his country's commitment to reforming ASM practices to better serve local communities and the national economy. He highlighted environmental protection as a top priority in ASM-operated areas, noting that government oversight now includes stricter contract terms and closer monitoring. 'We have a new vision – one in which we are adding more value to minerals and providing jobs for the people of our country,' Deputy Minister Gibolum stated. During the panel session, Ghana's recent policy reforms were highlighted as a model for mining code reforms across the continent. These include the Local Content and Policy Regulation, which mandates the use of Ghanian expertise, goods and services in mining operations. The Equipment Tracking Regulations and Blue Water Initiative were also noted as templates for how other countries can improve environmental standards, traceability and value addition. The panelists agreed that Africa's mineral wealth can only benefit its people through transparent, inclusive and environmentally conscious governance. They indicated that reforms must go beyond legislation and be backed by capacity building, access to finance and collaboration with communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
