African Underground Mining Services Limited (AUMS), via the Underground Mining Alliance (UMA) joint venture, has signed a new five-year contract for delivery of underground mining services at the Obuasi gold mine for AngloGold Ashanti.
Obuasi is in the Ashanti region of Ghana and AUMS has a history of operation at the Obuasi mine since February 2019. The UMA is owned by AUMS (60%) and Rocksure International (40%), a local Ghanaian civil and mining contractor.
The contract value came in at A$1.02 billion ($656.9 million), with the 60-month term starting on February 1, 2025, Perenti, owner of AUMS, said in an ASX-listed statement.
Services covered within the contract include underground development, production and related mining services.
The Obuasi gold mine operated from 1897 until AngloGold Ashanti suspended production in 2014 due to weak gold prices. A 2017 feasibility study indicated remaining gold resources that could sustain a 20-year underground mine, and AngloGold Ashanti began a redevelopment project in late 2018. The company has since developed the infrastructure needed to support a planned production ramp-up to a steady state, with plans to eventually produce 400,000 to 450,000 oz of gold a year.
Mark Norwell, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Perenti, stated: “We are pleased to sign the Obuasi contract with AngloGold Ashanti for an additional five years. We highly value our relationship with AGA and look forward to continuing and deepening our positive working relationship. This agreement is a testament to the reliability and value provided by our Contract Mining division. Our extensive operational experience and the scale of our global underground business enables us to consistently deliver enduring value and certainty to our clients and shareholders.”
Gabrielle Iwanow, President of Contract Mining at Perenti said “Our relationship with AngloGold Ashanti is of great importance to our Contract Mining division. As one of the world’s largest gold miners, we are proud to work alongside them in a collaborative manner. We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with them over the years ahead and supporting them to meet their business objectives.”