• Market Watch

Osino to create 750 new jobs in Erongo

- 2022-11-04 00:00:00

The Twin Hills Gold Project, located close to Karibib, is on track to create 750 new jobs in the region and has already brought N$224.6 million of foreign direct investment to the Namibian economy.
This was revealed in the 2021 Sustainability Report of Canadian-listed gold explorer and mine developer Osino Resources.
“Economic development, guided by a sustainability approach that considers social and environmental issues and priorities, is essential to grow a Namibian society and economy that thrives over the long term,” says Osino CEO Heye Daun.
“For-profit companies have a responsibility and an opportunity to make a lasting positive impact in the communities where they operate. For this reason, we keep asking ourselves how we can maximise our long-term, positive contribution to the socio-economic development of Namibia and contribute to local economic growth, skills development, job creation, community well-being and environmental stewardship.”
Daun explains that responsible mining has been integral to Osino from its inception and the sustainability report demonstrates that the company is well on its way to becoming Namibia’s most responsible gold mining champion. Osino’s responsible mining efforts and the report content are informed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Mining Principles of the International Council of Mining and Metals, the Global Reporting Initiative’s Reporting Standards and the Namibian Best Practice Guide to Mining.
“This positive contribution will significantly increase when the Twin Hills Mine starts operating. About 750 people will work at the site, most of whom will be Namibian and many of whom will be from local communities.”
Namibians have the opportunity to learn more about Osino’s Twin Hills Gold Project, sustainability performance and future plans at public meetings in Windhoek, Omaruru and Karibib on 14 and 15 November this year.
Figures
In 2021, Osino spent N$183.6 million on procurement from Namibian suppliers, of which N$50.2 million was spent on suppliers based within 75 km of its Twin Hills Gold Mine Project near Karibib.
“This total investment represents 92% of the company’s total procurement spend for the 2021 reporting period,” says Daun. “The company’s spend provides a healthy boost to the Namibian economy and specifically the Twin Hills Gold Project host communities of Omaruru and Karibib. It also paves the way for Osino Resources to help build Namibia into a growing African investment destination.”
By the end of 2021, Osino employed 119 people, of which the majority worked in Namibia. “Ninety-five percent of Osino’s permanent employees are Namibian and 47% live within 75 km of Twin Hills,” says Daun. “The jobs that we created are mainly in areas where unemployment rates are high and where each employee supports an average of about 3.4 household members.”
“Many of our unskilled and semi-skilled employees come to Osino with no knowledge of drilling programmes or sample processing. They learn these skills through on-the-job training, which provides them with better employment opportunities for the future,” Daun added.
Osino provides opportunities for groups that are under-represented in the mining sector and has succeeded in building a geology team in which half are women. The Company invests in developing the technical and leadership skills of its people through technical training for its geologists and geotechnical training for its technicians. During 2021, Osino provided work experience and mentoring opportunities to five geology graduates who subsequently progressed to more senior roles and conducted a leadership programme for 12 of its managers. The Company also significantly expanded its occupational health and safety systems during this year.
Feasibility
“Regretfully, the Company’s permanent headcount needs to decrease during the feasibility, planning and design stages of the Twin Hills Gold Project,” says Daun. “But once the mine and plant start operating, employee numbers will increase to the stated number of 750 people and the Company will continue to prioritize recruitment from communities surrounding Twin Hills.”
Early in 2021 Osino set up the Twin Hills Trust and seed funded it with N$2 million. The Trust invests in Namibian development projects that contribute to community development, improved quality of life for disadvantaged communities and a better environment.
Three drilling contractors and a shareholder of the Company boosted Trust funds by donating a further N$980 000 during this year. Osino is encouraging its other suppliers and shareholders benefitting from the Twin Hills Gold Project to also contribute to the Trust.
The completion of the environmental and social management plan for the Twin Hills Gold Project laid a strong foundation for minimizing the potential negative impacts and maximizing the positive impacts that the Twin Hills Gold Mine will have in future.
“Climate change is an urgent reality and its social and environmental impacts will continue to escalate. Osino will contribute to Namibian efforts to minimize greenhouse gas emissions where possible and will design a mine and plant that will aim to maximize energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy generation technologies,” says Daun.
Osino has set itself the goal of embedding sustainability into all aspects of the mine’s design. For this reason, the Company is working with a large team of technical and social experts on positive initiatives, such as housing for mine workers, skills development, renewable energy options including solar energy and a battery energy storage system, and minimizing water usage.